Frodsham charity restores 1980s tandem bike for fundraising events

Oct 6 2011 by Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle

A VINTAGE tandem bike that lay rotting in a garage for decades is ready to hit the road again to help raise vital funds for a Frodsham charity group who brought it back to life.

The bicycle made for two – a 1938 Maclean last ridden during the Second World War – was a sorry wreck before members of the Will to Work Workshop took on the challenging task of restoring it to its former gleaming glory.

Job complete, the donated bike could eventually be sold to boost funds for the pioneering workshop that supports and encourages people with various disabilities to use their practical skills, learn new ones and regain confidence working alongside others.

But now the search is on for volunteers to take the tandem on the road for at least one sponsored ride.

“They’ll need to be experienced cyclists to handle the machine, and they’ll also have to be fit as the bike does not have the benefit of the six speed gears originally fitted,” said workshop member Clive Davy, a retired bank manager who led the restoration team.

Kingsley resident Vernon Clarke donated the tandem which belonged to his parents, the late Harry and Ivy Clarke, of Frodsham.

For more information, ring 01928 731477.