Cyclists and a unicyclist take on city's big bike ride

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Sunday, July 05, 2009
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This is SouthWales

SWANSEA was buzzing with cyclists today as the ever-popular Gower Bike Ride rode into town.

More than 1,500 people took part in The British Heart Foundation's (BHF) annual fundraiser, 300 more than last year.

Organiser Hannah Townsend said she was thrilled with the turnout. She said: "We had more people sign up before the day, so we were off to a good start. There is always a lot of enthusiasm for the ride, but this year was a big success."

This year the entry fee increased from £10 to £15 for adults and the ride kicked off in the Recreation Ground, rather than inside St Helen's rugby ground.

But that did not deter riders who showed up en masse to take on either the 16 or 29-mile courses.

*Don't miss this website tomorrow for a slideshow and video from the event.

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  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by jeff d, ammanford

    Friday, July 10 2009, 5:52PM

    “as one of the cyclists who rides without a helmet, i`d like to ask all the whingers (mr.pendleberry) if he wore a helmet to cycle as a child; i bet not.this is another example of health and safety gone mad. if we keep proteccting everybody from every risk of any level of injury we are going to end up with a spineless generation who need to take pain killing drugs for a scratch.so mr.p what do you do for exercise/fun? tiddlywinks? if so wear a full face helmet incase you flick a chip into your eye.”

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    by roger braintree, neath

    Friday, July 10 2009, 9:37AM

    “would anyone like to purchase a bike? Second hand but in mint condition! Only ever been as far as the gower inn!!”

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    by Roger Braintree, neath

    Friday, July 10 2009, 9:35AM

    “In a recent health kick I made the plunge and got my self a brand spanking new mountain bike.(my previous hobbie of free running was proving a little unweilding on the joints). A friend of mine suggested that the gower bike ride would be a great way to embrace my new exercise of choice. Although having used the wonderful evening post web site to research I am not so sure. The extreme views posted on here by Mr Pendleberry and other swansea inhabitants has made me realise that the world of bike riding in the gower is a dog eat dog business. More consideration is needed.”

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    by Hannah Townsend, Cardiff

    Tuesday, July 07 2009, 4:00PM

    “As the organiser for the British Heart Foundation's Gower Bike Ride I'd like to say a massive thank you to all the people who took part on Sunday. Its thanks to people like you that the BHF can continue its fight against heart disease in Wales. I also want to thank all the volunteers who helped make the day a great success.
    I would also like to thank everyone who has a left a comment on this webpage - we really appreciate your feedback and support.
    As for the comment about the burger van, we do try to have healthy food available at all our events, which was the case on Sunday - and the van offered a wide range of refreshments so that people could make a choice as to a healthy or a rather more calorie-laden option for that day.

    In reply to the comment about helmets, we strongly advise all our participants to wear a helmet for their own safety, but as this is not law we are unable to enforce this at our events: all we can do is ensure that we have a sufficient number of marshals and first aid to hand if an incident was to happen.
    I do hope to see many more at next year's event and hope that we can make the ride bigger and better - for all who want to be part of the fight against heart disease in Wales.

    Hannah Townsend
    BHF Cymru Events Organiser”

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    by Dai Pedal, Swansea

    Tuesday, July 07 2009, 9:02AM

    “Did anyone else notice the irony - a burger van at a British Heart Foundation event.Only in the UK !”

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