CYCLING
17/07/09
There are allegedly more cycles in Sussex than there are cars, but a lot of them are rotting away in the backs of garages or in sheds. Now is the time to dig them out and get them going. Our very own Dr Bike might be your first port of call. For details see www.lewescycleaction.co.uk/index.htm They operate a free bike surgery in the precinct 10-12 on Saturdays except farmers market days. For more major work you can take your bike down to Future cycles in Friars Walkhttp://www.futurecycles.co.uk/r or Cycle Shack, in the old Woolworths Building http://www.lewescycleshack.co.uk/ycles
If you have no bike or it is beyond repair then £200, or £300 if you can afford it, will get you a bike that will start you off and keep you going. Please don’t buy a bike on line or at chains like Halfords. A bike is a specialist piece of kit and needs to be chosen to suit you. You can buy new bikes dirt cheap but they will be horrible and fall to pieces quickly. Chain stores rarely do the setting up a new bike needs. Visit one of the shops listed above. If they patronise you, or ignore you because you don’t know all the technical jargon walk straight out and visit somewhere else.
There are lots of places to cycle round Lewes. There are cycle paths towards Glynde, Kingston and the University and lots of quiet ways you can discover. You can even cycle 25 miles to Bexhill almost all on the level. Dr Bike’s web site has some ideas and Cycle Lewes, our local cycling group has put together an excellent map. Details at www.cyclelewes.org.uk. If you cycle in Lewes you should join them. If you live in Newhave or Seaford then Cycle Seahaven is for you. If you are a beginner or returner you might want to join the rides organised by East Sussex County Council. Details here