A 10-strong group of British Cycling Ride Leaders in Southampton have teamed up with Saints Foundation ahead of this year’s Big Bike Challenge – the annual charity bike ride that raises funds for the work the independent charity does with at-risk children, young people and adults across Southampton and its surrounding areas – to offer fundraisers training rides in the coming weeks as well as to lead groups during the three-day event in May.
Ruth Miller, British Cycling’s Lead Cycling Delivery Manager – Southern Regions, said: “Our Ride Leaders are all hardworking volunteers and have been doing a fantastic job to increase the number of opportunities for people to cycle in Southampton, seeing a particular uplift since the HSBC UK Let’s Ride event in June 2018.
“We’re excited to be working with the Saints Foundation to support their work, while giving our Ride Leaders the opportunity to use their skills in a slightly different way and have fun along the way. It’s also brilliant to see some of last year’s Big Bike Challenge participants back this year supporting as Ride Leaders after completing their British Cycling qualifications.”
Starting at Huddersfield Town’s John Smith’s Stadium, the Big Bike Challenge will cover more than 250 miles over the course of three days. The ride will finish at St Mary’s in time for Southampton’s final game of the season against the Terriers on Sunday 12 May.
Local Ride Leader coordinator, Mark Traves, continued: “This is the second year I’ve been involved with the event, but this time we’ve got a bigger group of leaders to support the training rides and the event itself and it’s been great to see new leaders come on board from both the HSBC UK Guide programme and women-only HSBC UK Breeze.”
The Big Bike Challenge is still open to charity riders, with the new option of a shorter one-day ride from Reading for those not looking for a three-day ride.
Saints Foundation’s Fundraising Officer Amy Bennett said: “This is our seventh Big Bike Challenge and, having stretched ourselves last year riding from Manchester City FC, we are really challenging our riders this year with our longest ride yet.
“It’s not just a great event for cyclists but for people perhaps newer to the sport. We make sure all our riders are cared for, so they can really enjoy and savour the experience. We can’t wait to set off and get on the road from Huddersfield.”
For more information about rides in your area, please visit www.letsride.co.uk or check out the brilliant Saints Foundation video on Facebook to see what the ride is really about.
Could you join the Big Bike Challenge? A range of options are on the Saints Foundation website or contact lclark@saintsfc.co.uk for more info, or join the local Facebook group.
