A Gatehouse bike project has recorded its busiest year yet since first getting into gear five years ago.
Wheels of Fleet has taken off as cycling enjoyed a nationwide resurgence when more people sought outdoor pursuits in the pandemic.
Based in the grounds of the Mill on the Fleet, the innovative up-cycling project reconditions donated bikes for hire – with e-bikes also available for those needing a little help going up hills.
Coordinator Danny Alderslowe said: “With tourists returning to the area, bike hire has been in great demand.
“Sometimes we have had to turn visitors away because we ran out of bikes. We still have bikes for repair coming in through the winter.
“The team has been busy stripping them back, painting them in our trademark blue and adding name to the frames.
“They will be ready for hire in the busy season.”
Anticipating a busy 2022, Wheels of Fleet has produced new bike maps of the area including seven local routes around the Kirkcudbrightshire countryside.
And basic bike repair workshops have been organised throughout the winter until March.
Danny said: “They are proving very popular with our mechanic Dane Carty making it all look too easy.
He added: “Wheels of Fleet cannot thank the local and wider community enough for all their support.”
