Founded in 2006
20 Years of Wheel Easy
What started with 35 cyclists gathering on a May morning in Harrogate has grown into something far greater than anyone could have imagined. Founded in 2006 by Gia and Malcolm, Wheel Easy was built on a simple but powerful idea — that cycling should be accessible, sociable, and fun for everyone, regardless of age, ability or bike.
Twenty years on, the club has racked up nearly a thousand Sundays of riding plus many regular Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday rides, Awaydays and longer trips. Wheel Easy cyclists have explored countless Yorkshire lanes, ventured abroad, weathered a pandemic, and built a community that goes well beyond the bike. This timeline is our story — milestone by milestone, ride by ride, event by event. Scroll through and relive the memories.
2000s
The Inaugural Ride
Wheel Easy!, Harrogate’s new group for leisurely cycling got off to a tremendous start when the first ride on Sunday 7th May attracted 35 cyclists of all ages and abilities.
First Wednesday Evening Ride
Everyone enjoyed the Sunday rides so much Wheel easy established a Wednesday evening ride too.
First All Day Wednesday Ride
Despite the group having been just recently created Wheel Easy members very soon got into longer rides.
Ride 50
Wheel Easy’s 50th Sunday ride, hugely enjoyed by 33 riders, could not have been on a finer day, as the report photos show.
Wheel Easy’s First Anniversary Ride 57
Wheel Easy!, Harrogate’s first Anniversary
EG’s First Ride Report
Whilst this is the EG’s first ride report it certainly isn’t their first ride. Gdansk wasn’t the coffee stop! The reason the photo is in the report is lost in the mists of time. Read the full article for a short history of the group.
2010s
Birth of the Big ‘Un
For those wanting the Short Version – 3, or was it 4, cyclists depart Harrogate 7:35, visit Tan Hill, arrive Harrogate 22:00
Ride 300
Today was Wheel Easy’s 300th Sunday ride and club members were out in force despite the zero temperature.
Ride 400
A bright cold winter’s morning, our 400th Sunday ride was perfect for cycling as we gathered at Hornbeam. There was some evidence of stiff limbs and post-festive podginess that demanded exercise, so off we went.
Buttertubs Pass Radio 4 Interview
Today Wheel Easy was enticed by an invitation from Radio 4 programme Open Country to climb Buttertubs and on the way be interviewed.
First Wanderers’ Ride?
Here is the first ride report from the Wanderers so we are assuming it was their first official ride.
Ride 500
Michael, Ian and James preparing to cycle to Sophie’s to uphold the Wheel Easy tradition of riding on a Sunday for our 500th Sunday ride.
Acorn Ride
A great turn out by team Wheel-Easy. You can read all about it by following the link and scrolling down a bit.
10th Anniversay Ride 522
Thank you to everyone who came for the tenth anniversary photo today and great to see people who were there for the first rides in 2006.
Formal Awaydays Begin
A ‘formal’ programme of rides began in May 2016, but had been run on an ad-hoc basis since the club was formed.
10th Anniversay Celebration and Ride 527
Great ride today to Spa Gardens to celebrate Wheel Easy’s birthday and as it turned out also our Queen.
Wheel Easy Leisure Cycling Limited
Today, Wheel Easy formally became registered with Companies House as a private company limited by guarantee.
Ride 600
40+ people decided to opt for the 600th Sunday ride on this gloriously clear crispy day.
Malcolm Gets His Medal
Very many congratulations to Malcolm on this award from all of us at Wheel Easy.
Wheel Easy in UCI Look North Coverage
A brilliant turnout from about 40 members of Wheel Easy for the Look North live broadcast from Harrogate on 20 September.
Ride 700
The weather forecast changed again with no rain forecast until later in the day for our 700th Sunday ride. In other news there’s a new website coming in January 2020.
2020s
14th Virtual Anniversary
A strange anniversary in 2020, with club activities suspended due to the Coronavirus restrictions.
We invited members to reflect on their thoughts and memories about Wheel Easy as a virtual celebration.
Get yourself a nice cup of coffee, a piece of cake and read on….
Contrarians’ First Ride in New Kit
Having ridden as a Saturday Ride group for a while this is their first outing in their new pink kit. The name is taken from their WhatsApp group established in Aug 2018, as they could never decide where and what time to meet for rides.
Inaugural Challenge Ride
Several members expressed a desire for a target or challenge for the year in the membership consultation. The club has done some long rides in the past, but these are not suitable for all, so this year we plan to try a new concept to provide a suitable challenge for all those that want one.
Travellers’ Tales Rides Again
On the evening of Thursday 27th October 2022 we saw the latest incarnation of Travellers’ Tales, our occasional events where members share their stories of a wide variety of bike trips. Over 40 members turned up to the Empress to hear the presentations.
Quiz Night at the Rugby Club
It was a good turnout at the Rugby Club with over 50 members in nine teams. Dave Wood the quizmaster provided his usual entertaining questions interspersed with a variety of jokes. There were some novel cycling themed team names such as the Dope Peddlars,The Awaydayers and Going Downhill Fast.
Ride 900
Congratulations to Wheel Easy for reaching 900 Sunday rides. Quite a low turnout this morning which was a little surprising as although a bit chilly it was dry and only a slight breeze and no rain forecast.
Ride 950
A beautiful autumn day, perfect for cycling – well after the fog lifted!
Closing in on ride 1000 in 2026 our 20th Anniversary year.
1st Ride in 20th Anniversary Year Ride 958
Although the official lead rides were cancelled there are usually one or two diehards who turn up, but not today, and although the Wanderers walking group didn’t disappoint, there was only one of us on two wheels.
🎶 It was 20 years ago today 🎶
Big thanks to Gia and Malcolm for having the inspiration, dedication and tenacity to create and build the Wheel Easy family. Here’s to another 20 years…at least!
Let’s have a ride and tea party
There’s was celebration on the 7th June to celebrate 20 years of Wheel Easy and you are cordially invited to share in the festivities by browsing our photo gallery and listening to Malcolm’s speech.
