RESIDENTS in Warrington have been going for gold by travelling the world on their bikes — from the comfort of their care village.

With the help of their support workers, locked down residents at Belong Warrington in Latchford have worked hard to cycle their personal bests in this year’s Road Worlds for Seniors, a global competition for older people and those with dementia.

Residents have been exploring breathtaking landscapes through a linked screen, thanks to the event’s organiser, Motitech, whose mobile bikes make it possible to bring cycle equipment to residents in their households.

The care village has clocked up an impressive 750km (466 miles) — about the equivalent of travelling from Warrington to the Isle of Wight and back. Belong Warrington also took the British silver, ranking 2nd place amongst participating UK care homes.

Anthony Harley, lead fitness instructor for Belong, explains: “Exercise can really transform quality of life and is a fundamental part of life at Belong, so it was devastating for us when our village gyms had to close during lockdown. Since then, we’ve been exploring other ways to continue exercise provision and Road Worlds for Seniors is a perfect opportunity to get everyone excited about exercising, so we were really up for taking part.”

In addition to the health benefits cycling brings, the annual initiative aims to bring participants living in care facilities into a shared community across international borders.