Published at 14:31, Friday, 28 December 2012

An amazing year: Project officer Ryan Dobson, at the back, with members of Watchtree Wheelers at Watchtree Nature Reserve in September. ‘Being awarded the title is a fantastic achievement for us,’ he said

The Watchtree Wheelers are riding high into 2013, having been named Cycling Projects Wheels for All Centre of 2012.

The UK’s only cycling facility within a nature reserve for disabled and disadvantaged people, at Great Orton, near Carlisle, was also involved in the build-up to this summer’s London Olympics, having two members invited to carry the Olympic torch.

Watchtree Wheelers is a social enterprise, created within the Watchtree Nature Reserve.

The former World War Two airfield was transformed into a nature reserve 10 years ago and Watchtree Wheelers was launched in 2009 after fundraising to finance the creation of the cycle path and purchase of a fleet of specially designed cycles to offer people with any disability the opportunity to enjoy cycling in the outdoors.

Ryan Dobson, project officer for the Watchtree Wheelers, said: “2012 has been an amazing year for the Watchtree Wheelers.

“Being awarded the title Cycling Projects Wheels for All Centre of the Year 2012 is a fantastic achievement for us as it recognises the advances we have made since our launch.

“Watchtree Wheelers runs several sessions a week for organisations and individuals to enjoy cycling here, in a safe environment with a range of cycles to use.”

For more information, visit www.watchtree.co.uk

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk