DEEP is a national network comprising people who are living with dementia. To celebrate its 10 year anniversary, Innovations in Dementia, For Brian CIC and Bikeworks CIC collaborated by putting together a two day treat where people living with dementia from all across the UK converged at the Olympic Park. It's hard to imagine the co-ordination and hard work which must have gone into preparations for this event, one of several to celebrate DEEP's 10th anniversary but it was greatly appreciated by all who attended.
Peter, Teresa and I were delighted to be invited to London to participate in this particular celebration and to see the Velodrome close up. It was certainly a fitting venue for cycling aficionado, Peter, and it wasn't long before he was involved in sorting out a mechanical problem on one of the bikes.
The event was a great demonstration of how cycling can bring people together and how bikes can be adapted to ensure inclusivity. As we know, exercise stimulates the endorphins and is crucial in contributing to our well-being.
We were provided with a range of bikes for all abilities and this ensured everyone could have a pedal around the Olympic Park area. Some (well, specifically one) of that party might have uttered a mild but, nonetheless, heartfelt boo as we passed the London Stadium, now home to West Ham United FC but we shall gloss over that.
As is evident from the pictures, everyone had a hoot although seeing the Orbital Tower close up was a smidgeon alarming (for everyone but Peter who, don't forget, will be abseiling down this monstrosity on June 25th) but for me there were two things which made me smile broadly: one was seeing Peter and Wendy Mitchell chatting and cycling together and the other was finally meeting Wendy face to face and seeing her pose with "Slow Puncture" - the book for which she penned the foreword but had never actually held in her hand.
Thanks to Rachel, Clare, David and all the others who were involved in putting this event on. We had a blast!
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