Biking at Calvert Devon
What is biking?
Biking, also known as cycling, uses pedal power to transport yourself, whether for a commute or leisure. But it’s not just about getting from point A to B; it’s about feeling the thrill of the ride, exercising, and soaking in the beauty of nature.
Whether cruising through the city or conquering mountain trails, biking is about freedom and fun!
The beauty of biking at Calvert Devon? No one is left out.
With an impressive fleet of accessible bikes that cater to everyone’s needs, you can experience the joy, rush, and relaxation of our biking sessions.
You won’t find a traditional two-wheel bike here. Instead, we have specially designed tricycles, handcycles, tandem bikes, and wheelchair front-loaders that offer options to suit all needs and preferences.
Whether you’re zooming around bends or relaxing at your own pace, our experienced staff will offer personalised support and instruction, ensuring everyone enjoys the benefits of biking.
This can be quite a physical activity along a route with ups and downs. Don’t worry; you won’t be asked to rush around as quickly as possible. The session is divided into manageable sections, with a ‘pit-stop’ halfway around for drinks.
Your biking session
Click on each step for more information on what you can expect from a biking session at Calvert Devon…
1: Get ready
- You will meet your instructor at your allocated meeting point
- Your instructor will take you to our equipment store, where we keep our bike helmets, and you’ll be given a helmet of the correct size
- Then your group will head down to the boathouse with your instructor – the boathouse is where the fleet of bikes is stored
- It takes about five minutes to walk to the boathouse along a path which takes you through the trees
- Subject to availability, there is also a wheelchair-accessible buggy that can transport guests to the boathouse
2: Learn how
- Your instructor will present you with the array of bikes and suggest which bikes they believe will work best for you based on your needs and goals
- Your instructor will talk to you about how the session will run, including a safety briefing, a discussion on group expectations and specific 1:1 explanations on how to use your bike
- Then the instructor will check, one at a time, that each of you can safely cycle and use your brakes properly before moving off as a group on your checkpoint-to-checkpoint bike ride
3: Have a go
- Once your instructor has seen you can safely brake and control your bike, you’ll be given your first checkpoint by your instructor
- At your own pace, you will cycle to this checkpoint, where you’ll wait for the instructor to send you to the next checkpoint – this is how the session will run until the end
- About halfway through the session, you’ll all stop for a break, where your instructor will magically reveal hot and cold drinks, which you can all enjoy together over wholesome group conversations
4: Finish up
- At the end of your biking activity, you’ll cycle back to the boathouse and return your bikes
- You’ll head back up the path to the Calvert Devon centre or take the buggy if needed
- You’ll need to return your helmets to the activity storage room before having a well-deserved rest
Biking equipment
Check what type of bikes are available…
Side-by-side
- The PF Mobility Side-By-Side Trike offers a unique riding experience that allows two riders the chance to cycle alongside each other
- With its stable three-wheeled design, adjustable seating and robust construction, it provides comfort and safety for users who may have mobility disabilities
- A great option for a sociable ride, both riders have pedals and handlebars, but with only one person being able to steer
Trigo Trikes
- These recumbent bikes are Hase Trigo Trikes, renowned for their innovative design and versatility
- They have adjustable seating positions, offering stability with their three-wheel configuration
- These bikes also have elastic heel straps to help the user’s feet maintain connection with the pedals
- We also have an electronic Trigo Trike that gives you an extra boost when you need it most
Trigo Adaptive
- Just like the Trigo Trikes, but even more adaptive
- Boasting a headrest, five-point harness, adjustable pedal motions and handles at the back to be able to push someone along, there’s a significant number of upsides to using this bike for those with extra needs
Trix trike
- This trike is a compact and agile recumbent model, offering a comfortable and ergonomic riding experience
- It is often considered to be the ‘sportier’ version of the Trigo
- Its unique design combines stability with manoeuvrability, making it ideal for riders to whizz around Wistlandpound Reservoir
KMX Kart
- A KMX Kart is a recumbent trike, which, due to its low, reclined seating position and the three-wheel design, offers comfort and stability to users
- Some of our KMXs are customised to include elastic heel straps to help the user’s feet maintain connection with the pedals
The Duet
- The Duet is a unique tandem bike designed by Huka
- Unlike traditional tandems, the Duet is specifically crafted for riders with disabilities or a lack of movement
- It features a rear rider who pedals and controls steering and brakes, while the front rider enjoys the experience without the need for balance or control – allowing individuals with varying abilities to experience the joy of cycling together
VeloPlus
- This VeloPlus is a frontloading e-bike that is designed to accommodate wheelchair users
- It features a unique front-loading mechanism that allows you to easily secure a wheelchair-using friend or family member onto the front of the bike
- With the three-wheel design and supportive seating options, the bike will be stable and comfortable to ride
- Electric assistance offers effortless pedalling and extended range, especially uphill and with heavier wheelchairs, ensuring nobody is left out
Helmets
- Your safety is our greatest concern
- Therefore you will need to wear a helmet, which our instructors will provide for you before walking down to the boathouse
Yes! We leave no one out, and no matter what, we do everything we can to ensure that you can enjoy the experience of biking in a way that suits you and keeps you safe.
The Calvert Devon instructors use the term ‘challenge by choice’, which ensures that while you’re taking part and given challenges along the way, you ultimately always have the agency and control over your own limitations.
Our staff are there to keep you safe and build your confidence, even if this means accomplishing a simpler version of the activity.
For biking, it is possible to be a passenger, rather than a cyclist.
Our biking activity takes place about 5 minutes down the hill from our centre on a track that encircles the Wistlandpound Reservoir.
Our instructors have an internal training programme to deliver this activity and make the session accessible and suitably challenging.
Biking has long been a key part of Calvert Devon, and skills and knowledge are passed on year after year.
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