Bridge Bike Hire

One Very Big Family, Established 1983

Above is a picture of our BBH Family taken over 10 years ago. Since then we have grown even more and in 2023 celebrated 40 years of Bike Hire on the Camel Trail.

We were missing one important person. Nigel Wiggett passed unexpectedly in 2022, however we did get together and raise a glass to another decade of doing what we love!

Where It All Began

I can see for many it’s hard to imagine a time when Wadebridge and The Camel Trail wasn’t synonymous with bikes and cycling, however in early 1983, bikes on the trail were pretty much unheard of.

Only recently adapted, and not completely, from the old railway line, it was out of most people’s comfort zone. However, Nigel, in recovery from a brain tumour which had effected his balance, was determined to make the most of any resource open to him and tackled the uneven surface every day in an attempt to help him regain his balance. Yes he did fall off often. Something which I think his cycling friends in his latter years will not be surprised by!

One day, five woman asked him if he knew of anywhere to hire bikes so they could join him, and that was all it took!

With six bikes from the tip, restored and painted blue, Bridge Bike Hire, the first bike hire Cornwall, in the Westcountry and of course the Camel Trail was born.

Next came a few interesting years

The bikes proved popular, more popular than exhausts! With the opportunity to develop the business the family home was sold and a new premises, right at the start of the trail built.

While all this was happening the family and the bikes lived in two caravans, before the flood prevention scheme, which did mean a few uneasy days of feeding the swans out of the caravan windows and hoping we didn’t sail off down the river, caravans and all!

As it happened we all remained exactly where we’d been placed and on followed years of national promotion, endless mailshots to every publication and TV program possible. It all paid off and Bridge Bike Hire built a national reputation both for itself and the Camel Trail.

1980s cornwall, the camel trial wadebridge, first bike hire

1989 - The Year Of Firsts

NEW PREMISES, FIRST TEAM AND ANOTHER NEW BUSINESS IDEA

This was the year of firsts. The first purpose built bike hire with accommodation in the UK and we were open for Business!

The First Burley Child Trailers were imported into the UK and we started a new company Burley Lite Imports so we could sell these ground breaking products to other bike hires we were working with across the UK.

This is the first Bridge Bike Hire team as we know them now, working shifts all Summer, Easter and half term.

Original bike hire team 1989, wadebridge cornwall

Bridge Bike Hire Through The Years

This is total over indulgence on our part but a showcase of some of our incredible team and happy memories which I’m sure all the BBH family will love looking through. Thanks for everyone for all their support over the years. We are proud of every single one of our lads and our community. #bbhforever