I had a chance meeting last week, with the most incredible charity.
So inventive and community driven.
I was photographing the general manager of On Your Bike receiving a wonderful donation from a local house builder.
On Your Bike is a cyclist enthusiast's dream. Tucked away in a little trading estate, off a residential street in the town centre of Taunton, is a hanger bursting with bikes!
Bikes for all ages and all types of cyclists, as well as a workshop where they not only carry out routine maintenance for local cyclists, but also lovingly repair the bicycles donated.
The main aim of the charity is to train and employ those from socially underprivileged back grounds, ex servicemen and people who have been in long term unemployment.
This great team recycles bicycles! They have recycled (or serviced) over 1,000 bikes in just 2 years. What an achievement.
We know first hand the great expense of buying a shiny new bike to open on a birthday. And within minutes Sammy had fallen off, scratched the gleaming new bell and in a year from now will have probably outgrown his precious 4th birthday present.
I love buying secondhand and I love supporting a great project, so next time we are in the market for a bicycle this is where I am heading! And so should you!
If you are localish to Taunton get yourself down there, there is so much to look at, helpful staff to talk you through your options and a magnificent sculpture/trailer which is well worth a visit!
Buy from On Your Bike. Buy local, buy secondhand. And you'll feel good doing it ;)
ps I want to go back and buy that gold number!
