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Blazing Saddles for Durham Big Ride

Durham Big Ride – Sunday September 1 – Start County Hall Durham

The Beast – Sunday September 8 – Start Sniperley Park and Ride

Fire Service employees are once again getting out and about training hard for the double weekend of the Durham Big Ride and Beast in September.

In previous years around 50 County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service staff have taken part in one of the four rides on offer and this year looks set to be just as popular.

Pete McDermott, one of the firefighters based at Framwellgate Moor, is one of the people behind the push for all staff to get involved:

“When the first Durham Big Ride was introduced a few years ago we used the training as part of our fitness regime and it has snowballed since then. There are some very keen cyclists amongst the staff and we will hopefully recruit even more this year.”

Pete and his colleagues are continually raising awareness of how easy fires can start in the home as well as encouraging people to use and maintain their smoke alarms.

“We see the taking part in the Durham Big Ride as a part of our community commitment and it is another way of engaging with the people of County Durham and Darlington through handing out safety advice leaflets and talking to them after the event. It is also a great way of socialising with workmates while keeping fit. “

Colin Wilkes, Event Director: “One of the reasons we have developed both the Durham Big Ride and The Beast is to get workmates and friends together on their bikes for a day of nice social riding and to take in some of the great scenery we have to offer around the City. To have the team from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue join us year after year shows what a good day it is.

For more information on the Durham Big Ride and The Beast, go to www.durhambigride.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by ed tutty .