Oldham centre of a chain reaction

CYCLING is on the up in Oldham since the Tour de France visited streets nearby.

Surosa Cycles on Huddersfield Road, has seen a huge boost in bike sales with many first-time cyclists coming to the shop after seeing the international race on their doorsteps.

Former world champion cyclist Mandy Bishop, who runs the shop with her husband Nigel, said: “We have had a lot of people in the shop just interested and asking questions.

“Over the last 10 years, with the success of the Olympics and the recent Tour De France, cycling has been brought to the front of people’s minds — especially when it came so close that people could go to watch it live.

“We have also had a fantastic summer weather-wise. It’s usually very changeable and that puts people off riding unless they’re die-hard cyclists.

“A lot more people have been coming into the shop, not necessarily buying racing bikes but maybe a new mountain bike or their very first bike, which is brilliant to see.”

Jason Bromley, who founded Cycle Club Oldham eight years ago, said there has been an increase in cycling across the networks in Oldham and while he would like to say that is down to the Tour de France, would also attribute it to the fine weather.

“The general uptake in cycling is great but we would like to see a lot more in Oldham. I do think individuals are pulling their dusty bikes out of the shed and having a go.

“We do as much as we can to promote cycling in the town and have community bike rides every Saturday where people can borrow the bikes for free — but we are run by volunteers and we have no funds.”

A poll of individuals by charity Sustrans has revealed that a quarter of Britons have been inspired by the Tour de France to try cycling or cycle more often.
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