Triobike: A ride beside the sea

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside…

With high temperatures, a bright blue sky and a beaming sun, we couldn’t resist getting out and about on Cleethorpes Prom with the St Hugh’s triobike.

We again teamed up with Friendship At Home to offer rides along the seafront, from the leisure centre right down to the pier and back, for the older people the local charity supports.

First up were 84-year-old Eileen, from New Waltham, and 92-year-old Ruby, from Grimsby. Ruby moved to the area when she was seven with her family (she’s actually a Geordie) and loves living in North East Lincolnshire.

They were piloted along the seafront – to waves and smiles from passers-by – by triobike pilot Gary Allington, our facilities manager and community officer. He’s also a keen cyclist, which helps, although he gets a little helping hand from the triobike itself, which is electric. It’s specially adapted to carry two people at a time in a comfortable front-facing seat, with the pilot behind them… meaning the passengers can enjoy the uninterrupted view!

Eileen and Ruby were all smiles when they returned, with Ruby saying: “It was wonderful, just perfect. Perfect weather for it, too!”

Next up were friends Denise and Roy, who are both aged 84 and both from Cleethorpes.

“That was great!” said Roy. “The best taxi service ever!”

And while the rest of the Friendship At Home gang enjoyed refreshments at the Kingsway Kiosk, Yvonne from Grimsby and Avril from Cleethorpes took a pootle up and down the promenade with their willing chauffeur.

Dawn from Friendship At Home told us: “One of the ladies today hasn’t been out since the lockdowns began and she has lost her confidence a little bit. She loved a ride on the triobike!”

Find out more about Friendship At Home here (https://www.friendshipathome.org.uk) or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/friendshipathome).

And here’s a huge thanks from us to the booking office at Cleethorpes Railway Station and TransPennine Express for storing our triobike and arranging access when we need it.

If you think you could volunteer as a triobike pilot, get in touch with Friendship At Home on 01472 602500. Full training and support is given.