"There hasn't been anyone we couldn't get cycling, one way or ...

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"There hasn't been anyone we couldn't get cycling, one way or ... I Love Manchester

Manchester, England-based cycling club, Simply Cycling, has been providing accessible cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities for over 20 years.

Founded by former SEND teacher Sue Blaylock, Simply Cycling prides itself on the inclusive nature of the club, ensuring that anyone can take part in cycling regardless of their physical or learning capabilities.

The club currently operates at three venues across the city: Longford Park, Wythenshawe Park, and Boggart Hole Clough.

Starting with just four bikes and one morning a week, Simply Cycling has grown to offer over 680 bicycles adapted for all sorts of conditions, including hand cycles, recumbent bikes, tandems, side-by-side bikes, trikes, and even wheelchair-accessible bikes.

What’s more, the club is open all year round, allowing participants to cycle and enjoy the great outdoors regardless of the weather.

Simply Cycling has become a pillar of the Manchester community, attracting hundreds of people each week who want to get involved with the club.

Sue Blaylock, who made the transition from teaching to running the club full-time, explains: “It’s grown by word of mouth initially, but apart from the website, we don’t do much advertising.

“We’re set up as a charity and employ four people now, we aren’t funded by the Council but we make enough money now to cover all our costs.”

At just £3 to get involved, Simply Cycling provides a mainstream activity for people who aren’t mainstream.

The club has successfully taught people with additional needs, special education needs, autistic spectrum disorders, sensory impairments, rehabilitation needs from strokes or surgeries, and much more, how to cycle.

“Anybody is welcome to come down and have some fun,” Sue adds.

“The inclusion aspect is so important to us, and I think that’s something we pride ourselves on here.”

Simply Cycling’s success is due to ...

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