Through close collaboration between the Byw’n Iach Disability Sports Development Officer and Derwen a clear vision was developed to establish an accessible cycling club for disabled children in Gwynedd but there was not enough vision and money to make this happen at the time.
From 2006 onwards a number of disability sports events were held with over a hundred disabled people attending and this was a consultative opportunity to see what the demand was for a specialist cycling club. We set out to work in a formal partnership with Derwen, Beicio Cymru and the Awyr Agored Partnership to develop the Plas Menai Cycling Power in 2016, and now there are 27 members who ride every session.
Recently Byw’n Iach has received a Public Health Wales Grant and others to develop our new site in Dolgellau with a significant investment of 80k. Cycling Power is a unique organization and the only club in Wales with 2 bikes that can transport wheelchair users.
Marcus Politis – Byw’n Iach Disability Sports Development Officer said:
“I would like to thank Steve and Isobel Weake for managing the community programme, their dedication is incredible and the scheme improves the lives of disabled people. I would like to thank our long term partners and more recently Canolfan Dolfeirig, Dolgellau Police, Joe Patton, and to Roger and Glen for the ride from Landsend to John from Groats and raising 2.5k to buy a bike on behalf of the Outdoor Partnership. I would also like to thank councilor Dyfig Siencyn for helping’ the club secured a location for us to establish Power Cycling in Dolgellau.”
The club is also about to win the Insport club award with Disability Sport Wales which undermines the dedication to improving opportunities for disabled people, it is a club that really improves the lives of disabled people in Gwynedd and also attracts members from Ynys Anglesey, Conwy and Powys.
The Cycle Power club would like to thank all the volunteers and members who dedicate their time to the club; who inspire, and enable them to succeed and grow. Thank you to all the guests for coming to celebrate the official opening of the new site, and for their continued passionate support. Thank you to all the partners who have contributed to the success of the club, including; Byw’n Iach, The Outdoor Partnership, Derwen, Gwynedd Council, Public Health Wales / Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Snowdonia National Park, North Wales Police and Welsh Cycling.
For more information on the development of this exciting scheme contact Marcus Politis on: marcuspolitis@bywniach.cymru or to join the club contact Steve Weake on: stephen.weake@btinternet.com