Santa sleigh joins St Bede's bike bus and surprises market visitors

What a joyous occasion it was, as 'Mrs Claus', to join the St Bede’s Cycle Bus from Abbotts Barton.

Unlike everyone else, I didn’t have to do any peddling and instead had the luxury of being towed by a reindeer in true sleigh style.

Myself and my colleague Toby Oliver (reindeer number 3) got up bright early to walk over to Abbotts Barton, to find my chariot ready and waiting.

Colden Common and Twyford Cycle Bus leader Tony Higginson and his wife Karen had cycled in with the sleigh, music blaring, all the way from Colden Common to make the final bike bus of the year extra special for the children of St Bede.

After a few last-minute checks, we were off around the corner to meet the young cycle enthusiasts in all their festive attire and I was very impressed.

READ MORE: Cycle Winchester calls for bike buses to help kids cycle to school

St Bede's bike bus (Image: Adele Bouchard)

The kids however did look a little confused to see and hear noisy Christmas tunes, three reindeer and a sleigh heading their way.

But excitement grew as we were joined by more regular riders and St Bede’s bike bus leader and founder Emma Street.

Once we set off in the direction of Winchester Rugby Club, little clusters of pupils and parents with their bikes seamlessly joined the group. The atmosphere was pure magic.

@hampshire_chronicle Did you spot the Santa cycle sleigh riding through #Winchester? It joined the St Bede's #bikebus ♬ original sound - Hampshire Chronicle

If I was a kid watching the bike bus glide past, I would be very jealous and no doubt begging my parents to let me join. And I’m told that the Christmas bike bus had one of the biggest turn outs yet.

Due to having so much fun, everyone opted to take an extra half a lap around River Park before myself and the rest of the team dished out mince pies – maybe not ideal after having brushed their teeth before school but it’s Christmas after all.

Quick stop befor school (Image: Contributed)

Next stop – school time. I tried my best to give a big wave to parents and pupils alike.

After leaving the kids at school, we made a quick pit stop at South Downs Social on Middle Brook Street for a much-needed coffee and chance to warm – turns out sitting in a sleigh is not as toasty and warm as Father Christmas makes it out to be.

Minutes after we set off again, we thought Reindeer Toby was out of the game with a flat tyre but the incredibly kind staff at BikeX came to our rescue – pumping up the tyre as quick as it went down. It was a Christmas miracle.

Outside the cathedral (Image: Adele Bouchard)

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Crisis averted and it was time to parade down the High Street and past the cathedral to take a loop around the Christmas market.

It was so lovely to see so many beaming faces, of all ages, admiring the sleigh. I’m used to being behind the camera so it made an unusual change to have people filming me.

Back at the office (Image: Adele Bouchard)

My favourite comment had to be when one man, quite rightly, shouted: “Where was the Christmas present I asked for eight years ago?”

The stallholders and shoppers at the market were a lot more welcoming with nearly everyone we passed waving or wishing us a Merry Christmas.

After a final photo in front of the cathedral. I was kindly flown back to right outside the office door – not a bad way to travel to work.