On a wonderful sunny afternoon last Sunday the first Oxford Bike Fest took place and I decided to pop along with my partner to see what was going on.

Not your usual commercialised get together, this gathering had real community spirit, with the primary aim of encouraging people onto bicycles, there was something for all abilities.

In the perfect location at the Cherwell School, the playground was being utilised for a bike polo tournament and the grass track field was the perfect place to fall off or stay on your bike as you joined in one of the many organised races.

Okay the normal Lycra claddees were there. Well, the event was promoted by local race team Zappi’s Pro Cycling.

But the games also included some stranger races including mini bike races, hilarious to watch, adults on children’s bikes trying to go fast.

There was also single rider tandem races where you sit in the back seat of the tandem, lean forward for the handlebars while pedalling the back and there were even tricycle races and races for the hearing impaired.

But the main draw were the prizes for Omnium. This is where your points are added together for individual races to produce your overall score and the experienced riders were competing for regional points to improve their ranking positions within British Cycling.

I was happy to sit in the sun and watch the fun.

However, there was plenty to do without racing. There was a bike doctor and the Thames Valley Police were continuing their good work security stamping bicycles for free.

And boy was it hot, too hot for my partner to pedal me a smoothie on the Community Action Group Oxfordshire’s Smoothie bike.

Instead he treated me to G&D’s ice cream, who were also there, perfect for such a sunny day. And it was all topped off by the uplifting sounds of a brass band.

The event was staged by volunteers and organised and run by the young Tom Maxwell of Oxon Carts, the Eco-friendly event transport company whose distinctive green rickshaws you have probably seen running around Oxford.

As part of the Bike Week and Community games programme, this event was another wonderful display of the enthusiasm people have for their bikes and the willingness to pass on their passion to inspiring riders.

Considering this was their first year, the turnout was pretty good especially with the Tour de France and the Formula One competing for everyone’s attention.

Here’s to a successful event and the hope of bigger and better things next year. To check out their website for photos of the day, see www.oxfordbikefest.com