Video: Pinkbike's 'Share the Ride' Donates First Batch of Bikes to the UK

Pinkbike's 'Share The Ride' headed down with the UK's slice of the cake to Peckham BMX track in the South East London borough of Southwark. Peckham is probably more famously known as the residence of the fictional BBC character 'Del Boy' from 'Only Fools and Horses'. In more recent years though, the area has been blighted by high profile criminal acts and the associated bad press, even with a £290 million regeneration programme into the area there are still dark sides to Peckham.


It has not all been doom and gloom though, back in August 2013 and after many years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears we saw Burgess Park in the heart of Peckham open a National standard BMX track. This was mainly down to one man and his vision and inspiration, a local entrepreneur and DJ, CK Flash. With the help private investors he raised enough money to meet the local council halfway to fund the construction of the venue.


Slightly hesitant and wanting to investigate the set up down at Peckham I put the feelers out to understand what kind of ship CK sailed down there. After all it's not my money on the line here, it's yours, you the reader, your $5.00 donation that I have been entrusted with on this occasion. Well let me inform you straight up, CK runs a tight ship down at Peckham.


From the minute we landed onsite we were greeted by a wave of welcoming smiling faces from kids of all ages. CK introduced us to each and everyone of them and within seconds the stacked BDS race van was unloaded and it's contents were laid out like regimental soldiers on parade. Then like a cackle of hungry hyenas attacking their prey, the kids tore into the boxes, pulling out the GT race bikes and associated packaging; cardboard, packing foam, zip ties, plastic bags etc.. Within minutes the place looked like a war zone, they were that eager and enthusiastic to see their new bikes. Then within the blink of an eye and without asking, the kids were zipping around picking up all the litter, every last piece.


I soon found out that if you are seen dropping litter or spitting on the floor, expect a swift an effective good old, 'clip around the ear' from someone a lot bigger than you. There is a clear and definitive difference between this BMX club and every other club I have ever visited. This place belongs to you and you treat it that way, it feels like you are in your very own secluded and secure back garden, it's part of your home and all the people there are part of your family, respecting and loving each other.


I asked CK, 'Are these donated bikes and kit going to be here this time tomorrow or even next year'? Are these bikes going to be safe locked up in a container onsite? Note that the security fence around the whole site is a mere 5ft tall, O.K that's too tall for me to jump over but any thieving scumbags would and could make light work of a sealed shipping container if they so wished. CK confidently informed me that since they opened just over a year ago only one bike has been stolen. A 'Call' was made and the bike was returned within the hour. Said scumbag was reported to have said, 'I can't believe the heat this bike generated'.



To wrap it up we had a great day at Peckham BMX track, so many new and genuine friends were met, hugs were exchanged between grown men and tears nearly rolled. The kids had a blast and there is a solid legacy there for them within a safe and structured environment. The only downside was having to say goodbye. Until next time Peckham..


Stay Unclipped!
Si Paton.

For more information on Peckham BMX Club visit www.peckhambmx.co.uk.

Track Address: Burgess Park, Albany Road. London. SE5 0AN.

Pictures by Oliver Quartly.
Video by Jon Drew & geebeebee media.
Words by Si Paton.
Thanks to CK Flash and everyone at the Peckham BMX club!

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Entries into the Share the Ride giveaways are now closed but you can still DONATE via our Indiegogo page.
pinkbike.com/sharetheride

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Mentions: @GTBicycles @foxheadeurope @LKTV @geebeebee

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