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A group of guests wearing helmets or lifting helmets and their arms into the air in front of Wistlandpound Reservoir. Two guests either side are sitting on their bikes and the others are standing in between.

Biking

At Calvert Exmoor we have a range of accessible bikes and equipment that allow you to cycle around the beautiful pine forests of Wistlandpound Reservoir in style...

Biking

 

What is biking?

Biking, also known as cycling, is the sport of using pedal power to transport yourself, whether for a commute or as a leisure activity. But it’s not just about getting from point A to B—it’s about feeling the thrill of the ride, getting fit, and soaking in the beauty of nature. Whether you’re cruising through the city or conquering mountain trails, biking is all about freedom and fun!

Biking at Calvert Exmoor

The beauty of biking with us? No one is left out. With an impressive fleet of accessible bikes that cater to the needs of everyone, you can experience the joy, rush and relaxation that comes with our biking sessions. From specially designed tricycles to handcycles and tandem bikes, as well as wheelchair front-loaders, we offer options to suit all needs and preferences. Whether you’re hooning around bends at hair-raising speeds or bumbling along at your own relaxed pace, our experienced staff will offer personalised support and instruction, ensuring everyone gets to enjoy the benefits of biking.

Biking in action

Your biking session

Click on each step for more information on what you can expect from a biking session with us…
A group of five people are walking away from the camera under the shade of some trees downhill on a grass path, with trees on the left side.

1: Get ready

A group of five people are walking away from the camera under the shade of some trees downhill on a grass path, with trees on the left side.

1: Get ready

  • You will meet your instructor at your allocated meeting point
  • Your meeting point will be given to you on arrival at the centre in advance of your activity sessions
  • Your instructor will take you to our equipment store, where we keep our bike helmets. Here, you’ll be given a correctly sized helmet.
  • With your instructor, your group will head down to the boathouse. Wheelchair users can go via our zigzag path, which is parallel to the path pictured.
  • (Subject to availability, there is also a wheelchair accessible buggy that can transport guests to the boathouse)
A group of guests are wearing biking helmets in a circle, looking at the selection of bikes they can use for their accessible biking session. On the right is the bike shed made of wood paneling.

2: Learn how

A group of guests are wearing biking helmets in a circle, looking at the selection of bikes they can use for their accessible biking session. On the right is the bike shed made of wood paneling.

2: Learn how

  • Your instructor will present to you the array of bikes we have on offer. At this point, they will suggest to you 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
  • At this point, 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
A group of guests wearing helmets or lifting helmets and their arms into the air in front of Wistlandpound Reservoir. Two guests either side are sitting on their bikes and the others are standing in between.

3: Have a go

A group of guests wearing helmets or lifting helmets and their arms into the air in front of Wistlandpound Reservoir. Two guests either side are sitting on their bikes and the others are standing in between.

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 any stragglers and then be allocated another 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, from their rucksack, some hot or cold drinks, which you can all enjoy together over wholesome group conversations
A selection of accessible bikes on a paved area with a shed to the left of these bikes.

4: Finish up

A selection of accessible bikes on a paved area with a shed to the left of these bikes.

4: Finish up

  • At the end of your biking activity, you’ll return your bikes to where you started and head back up to the centre
  • You’ll need to return your helmets to the activity storage room before returning to the centre

Biking equipment

Whether you want to get an idea of what our kit looks like, or see some of our specialised gear that helps make our sessions more accessible, have a look below…
A white accessible trike bike with two seats side by side facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

Side-By-Side

A white accessible trike bike with two seats side by side facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

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 challenges
  • A great option for a sociable ride, both riders have pedals and handlebars, but with only one person being able to steer
Two red trike bikes are stationary side by side in front of calm water. They have black seats and handlebars either side of the seats.

Trigo Trikes

Two red trike bikes are stationary side by side in front of calm water. They have black seats and handlebars either side of the seats.

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
  • The trike on the right is an e-bike, so gives you an extra boost when you need it most!
A white accessible trike bike facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

Trigo Adaptive

A white accessible trike bike facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

Trigo Adaptive

  • Just like the Trigo Trikes, but even MORE adaptive!
  • Boasting a head rest, five-point harness, adjustable pedal motions and handles at the back to be able to push someone along, there’s a great number of upsides to using this bike for those with extra needs
A white accessible trike bike facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

Trix Trike

A white accessible trike bike facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

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 maneuverability, making it ideal for the rides we do at Wistlandpound Reservoir
A white accessible trike bike facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

KMX Kart

A white accessible trike bike facing the camera on a gravel path that leads down to the reservoir.

KMX Kart

  • A KMX Kart is a recumbent trike, which, due to it’s 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
A tricycle with one wheel at the back and two at the front. Atop the two front wheels is a yellow seat with blue cushioning inside, with a footrest at the end of it. There are handlebars behind the seat and a saddle with peddles.

The Duet

A tricycle with one wheel at the back and two at the front. Atop the two front wheels is a yellow seat with blue cushioning inside, with a footrest at the end of it. There are handlebars behind the seat and a saddle with peddles.

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 mobility challenges
  • 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
A white tricycle is stationary on a paved area. The front two wheels are either side of a white platform big enough for a wheelchair. The back wheel, the saddle and peddles are like an ordinary bicycle.

VeloPlus

A white tricycle is stationary on a paved area. The front two wheels are either side of a white platform big enough for a wheelchair. The back wheel, the saddle and peddles are like an ordinary bicycle.

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
  • With electric assistance, it offers effortless pedaling and extended range, especially uphill and with heavier wheelchairs, ensuring nobody is left out!
A row of bike helmets are lined up on two shelves. There are black, orange, green and yellow helmets.

Helmets

A row of bike helmets are lined up on two shelves. There are black, orange, green and yellow helmets.

Helmets

  • Your safety is our greatest concern. Therefore, by taking part in biking, you will need to wear a helmet, which our instructors will provide for you before walking down to the boathouse

FAQs

Yes! We leave no one out and no matter what, we do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the experience of biking in a way that suits you and keeps you safe.

At Calvert Exmoor, it’s what you CAN do that counts. Our 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 but also build your confidence, even if this means accomplishing a simpler version of the activity.

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 vast experience and internal training in delivering this activity and making the sport accessible and suitably challenging.

Our accreditations