Established in 2019, Wheel Together is a not for profit organisation run entirely by volunteers.
We aim to have 3 organised bike rides a week, but this can vary week by week depending on the weather so they are planned on a weekly basis. Ride dates and times can be found on our Facebook page, members will be notified a week in advance.
The club is based at Aberystwyth Harbour, South Beach, Aberystwyth SY23 1JX
Our Story So Far
Wheel Together started with an enthusiastic group of people prepared to take on the challenge of setting up a new club in Aberystwyth.
They applied to the People’s Lottery for funding of a project to provide accessible and accompanied cycle rides using the cycle paths around Aberystwyth. In Spring 2019 we heard that the group had received the second most votes in Wales and were awarded over £40,000. This had to be spent within a specific period of time so we needed to look carefully at what we could afford and of course where we could be sited with our new equipment.
After much searching, Afan Ability offered us a space on their site on the Glan yr Afon Industrial Estate in Aberystwyth, adjacent to the cycle path there. We were also given support by staff at Afan Ability for our new and exciting project. We were now in a position to purchase bikes, trikes, etc. This was an exciting time, and we soon ended with a container full of equipment. We also had to ensure that all our Ride Leaders and Buddies had the necessary training and DBS checks needed to lead rides.
Our first ride took place on 16th September 2019 and it was very satisfying to see how far we had come! We placed adverts in the press and publicised ourselves locally and our numbers grew. By 2023 it became obvious that we needed to move from Afan as we could not increase our storage space. We spent a great deal of energy and time looking to move and eventually in 2024 we were offered a space by Ceredigion County Council at the Harbour in Aberystwyth. This space is ideal for us as we are adjacent to the newly improved cycle path with double the storage space.
Our Awards and Achievements
In June 2023 we were proud to achieve an award from Menter Aberystwyth Gwobrau Cyntaf Aber First Awards – Supporting People Award: Gwobr Cefnogi Pobl.
In 2024 we applied to British Cycling to become a LIMITLESS FOCUS club and were very proud to achieve this status – the first club in Wales! The Focus Club status means that we are a fully inclusive club and have the equipment and trained Leaders and Buddies to achieve this along with further support from British Cycling.
2025 has seen the cycling club become affiliated with Ystwyth Cycling with all the mutual benefits that this can bring. We regularly take part in special local events such as Rali Ceredigion Rally, Borth Carnival and the RNLI Yellow Wellie day. We look forward to working with other local groups in the future.
Affiliations
Testimonials
“Headway, brain injury Society introduced both myself, who is a stroke survivor and my wife who has Arthritis to Wheeltogether a couple of years ago.
Our first trial ride was free. We were both amazed by the variety of bicycles, trikes and other adapted bikes and that they are so well maintained. I myself ride every week, weather permitting and it’s £5 we’ll spent on the 7/8 miles of riding we do along with a stop for coffee/ice cream in The Hut on South end of Promenade. It’s wonderful that I can exercise, be out in the fresh air for a couple of hours, be with the most caring of people who have volunteered to be ‘leaders’ their duty of care is second to none. The group are always calm and cheerful and we often chat and laugh when we have our break. I’m upset if the weather is too bad for me to carry out my weekly ride as along with stroke residue, I have multiple injuries so find it hard to exercise having lost the normal use of my right arm. Suits me down to the ground and I so wish others would try a ride even if your not disabled, you’ll be impressed. As for my wife, she expected the Arthritis in her hips to inflame the disease but lo and behold she feels the benefit so great physiotherapy for Arthritis too.”
— Eve
“Wheel Together truly are a breath of fresh air! Their adaptive rides, supported by friendly buddies and leaders, create such a welcoming and inclusive environment. It’s fantastic to be out in the fresh air, cycling manageable distances alongside like-minded people. The social coffee stop at The Hut is the perfect finishing touch. It’s more than just a ride, it’s a community.”
— Lucy
“One thing I like most about this Wheel Together is that it’s open to everyone and has capacity to accommodate in your incapacitation. Their variety of bicycle is what makes them unique. They have bicycles for all and that includes disabled people.
I have been attending their riding sections for some years with someone am supporting and he haven’t got any reason to decline going for ones. They have great leaders who monitors the weather ahead to know if it will be OK to have a ride on a particular day and attentive to road works in case of closures.
They have designated areas for the rides where one leader is Infront leading and the other at the back as well to guide. From the harbour down to the industrial estate, and sometimes around the seafront with designated areas for stops. With this, your peace is assured. I haven’t experienced any form of accident nor ugly incident since I started with them. My resident is happy, and I am happy too. It is something he always looks forward to. Thank you Wheel Together for engaging my resident in this physical exercise.”
— Chidi
“Before Wheel Together, I hadn’t ridden a bike for almost 55 years and it was with some trepidation that I tried my first bike ride after all that time. What made it more of an experience was that the Wheel Together bikes were electric assisted models.
It was excellent exercise for me as I’d had major surgery which made some forms of exercise problematic, especially any involving balance. The supervised bike rides were therapeutic as they were gentle, invigorating and in good company. My sense of balance improved noticeably as was joint flexibility. The benefits were not only physical: they were also mentally stimulating, as riding a bike concentrates the mind.
All the best,
— Vass
“I am delighted to take this opportunity to say how pleased I am that the Wheel Together group is now an established club in Aberystwyth and is growing from strength to strength.
I thoroughly enjoy my Tuesday rides with the excellent and supportive Ride Leaders whilst meeting like minded people but also making new friends as more cyclists join us.
The risk assessed routes are often adapted to suit the abilities of the group and of course the prevailing weather, so no worries on that score. The break at the Hut on the prom is also a wonderful place to be – a superb place to chat with friends old and new.
The wide selection and condition of the bikes and trikes (some of which are e assisted and there are adaptive trikes available as well) available is great, and has increased since the group doubled its space when it was moved to the Harbour in Aberystwyth.
The club is a Limitless Club with British Cycling, and so can provide for almost anyone with mobility issues often with 1:1 support which is just great to see.
Many thanks to all involved in making this club so accessible and successful during the 6 years it has been operating.”
— Kath
“Wheel Together have been helping me to learn how to ride a trike after an almost 80-year gap. The Wheel Together system works brilliantly and everyone has been very helpful. The trike is always in good condition and the teaching is excellent.”
— David and Diana
FAQs
Where are you based?
How long are the rides and when do they take place?
Ride dates and times can be found on our Facebook page. Rides can vary in length from approx. 0.5 miles to 20 miles to suit all abilities. Short and medium rides using cycle paths, longer rides may use roads.
How much does it cost?
Your first ride and initial assessment with our volunteer trained ride leaders are free. After this your club annual membership of £10.00 is due and rides will cost just £5.00 each though if using your own trike or bike, just £2.50. Our membership year is from January until December.
How do I join?
You can contact us by visiting the Contact Us page on our website. Alternatively, email us at wheeltogether@outlook.com ot follow us on Facebook.