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Entries Open for Deloitte Ride Across Britain

Story posted October 25 | Event Press Release

Deloitte Ride Across Britain, the most exciting addition to Britain’s mass participation cycling calendar is back for a second year, it was announced today.  Setting off from John O’Groats on Saturday 11 June 2011, riders will cycle through over 950 miles of spectacular scenery, as they ride the length of Britain in nine daily stages, finishing in Land’s End on Sunday 19 June 2011.  The event offers a unique way to see the best of Britain either solo or in a relay team, with an event route carefully mapped to take riders through some of Britain’s finest countryside.

At the end of each stage, cyclists are able to relax in the ready-installed base camps which provide accommodation, showers and toilets, food and drink, and the chance to share their experience with other riders.  On sign up, riders are supplied with specifically tailored training plans designed by Professor Greg Whyte and expert advice from bike mechanics, nutritionists, physios, and other support staff will be on offer throughout the event - so all riders have to worry about is the pedalling. 

The inaugural event that took place in June 2010 saw Olympians James Cracknell and Rebecca Romero and Paralympians Jody Cundy, Sarah Storey and Barney Storey cycle alongside over 600 riders as they completed the first staging of this epic ‘end to end’ challenge. A total of £372,182 was raised during Deloitte Ride Across Britain 2010 for the event’s benefiting charity, ParalympicsGB. 

Since completing Deloitte Ride Across Britain 2010, the organisation has also celebrated two years to go until the London 2012 Paralympic Games.  Deloitte Ride Across Britain will work towards reaching a £1 million fundraising goal over the next three years to support Great Britain’s future Paralympians up to London 2012 and beyond.  With riders also able to raise money for other charities, the already impressive fundraising total was boosted by many riders also cycling for their own causes. 

Julian Mack, co-founding director of Threshold Sports said: “There are a few iconic challenges in life (like the marathon) that are must do….this end to end ride is one of them. Arduous yes, at times punishing even, but what rewards – friendship, self-esteem, bucket loads of fundraising.  It’s the living, breathless embodiment of Threshold’s mantra ‘more is in you’”.

Heather Hancock, Managing Partner Brand and Innovation at Deloitte said: “The inaugural Deloitte Ride Across Britain was a phenomenal success.  We are really looking forward to building on that next June as we continue Deloitte's long-standing support for disability sport in the UK.  This event has really caught the imagination of our people - an opportunity to take on a great personal challenge, savour the spectacular route through Britain’s beautiful towns and countryside and most importantly, to raise a lot of money for ParalympicsGB in the process.  This is exactly the right time to be investing in disability athletes, enhancing ParalympicsGB’s ability to provide elite coaching and preparation as they work towards a home Paralympic Games less than two years from now.”

Tim Reddish, Chairman of ParalympicsGB, said: “Deloitte Ride Across Britain 2010 was an incredible challenge and I feel privileged to have been part of the inaugural event, which I rode on a tandem piloted by my son.  With the Games coming to London in 2012, ParalympicsGB has a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a lasting impact on attitudes towards disability sport and to achieve our 2012 ambitions; Deloitte Ride Across Britain has already contributed greatly towards these goals and we look forward building on this in 2011.”

Registration is now open to the public for 2011 Deloitte Ride Across Britain and places are selling fast. For more information please visit www.rideacrossbritain.com