Cycle Sunday fundraiser to celebrate Bike Week
Introduction
Hundreds of cyclists will mark Bike Week by clocking up thousands of miles between them at a fundraising event.
The national celebration of cycling from 16-24 June will culminate in Exeter on Sunday 24 June with Cycle Sunday, a family cycle ride along the Exe Cycle route in aid of Force Cancer Charity and Exeter Cathedral Third Millennium Campaign.
Devon adventurer Norman Croucher OBE and Bishop of Exeter the Rt Revd Michael Langrish are among those backing the event, which is supported by Ashfords solicitors.
Cycle Sunday, billed as "a celebration of cycling for everyone", will be held at Exeter's Piazza Terracina between 10am and 5pm and offers either a five mile or ten mile challenge.
Dr Croucher, from Topsham, will be guest of honour at the event and will lead the cyclists off on his tricycle at 11am. Despite two below-knee artificial legs, the experienced mountaineer has climbed Cho Oyu in Tibet, the sixth highest mountain in the world at 8,201 metres. He has also climbed above 6,000 metres on more than 16 occasions, including 7,600 metres of Mount Everest and was the first disabled person to be appointed to the Sports Council.
Dr Croucher said: "I'm very pleased to be involved in this event and I can't wait to lead off the cyclists on the day. Cycling is fun for all the family as well as being good for your health, so we want as many people to take part as possible to have a great day and support two worthy causes. My wife and I are keen cyclists and thoroughly enjoy it, and we're lucky enough to manage without a car. It would be great to think that during Bike Week more people could try using their bicycles whenever possible."
Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Revd Michael Langrish, said: "It's wonderful to think that the Cathedral's Third Millennium Campaign will benefit from so many people coming together to enjoy themselves and keep fit."
The five mile challenge runs along the flat, traffic-free Exe Cycle route, while the ten mile route stretches from the Piazza Terracina to the Turf and back.
Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Enviornment, said: "Cycle Sunday is a chance for everyone to take part and enjoy the benefits of cycling, whether they regularly ride a bike or not. Cycling is one of the best ways for all of us to reduce our carbon footprint and make Devon even greener.
"Just think how many thousands of miles people will cover together on Cycle Sunday if enough people take part, and imagine what an impact that could have on our environment if more of us cycled more often. It's pleasing to know that cycling is becoming even more popular, especially in the city where the Cycle Exeter Project has increased the number of cycle journey by 24 per cent so far this year."
Simon Rous, from Ashfords Solicitors, said: "We suffer from too much commuter traffic on our roads, so safe and sensible cycling offers a healthy alternative to car travel. As a responsible business located on the Exeter Business Park, we are ideally placed on the city's cycle network and actively encourage our own staff to cycle to work. Ashfords is delighted therefore to be associated with Cycle Sunday and we hope the event will help to promote cycling as a healthy, fun and environmentally friendly alternative method of commuting."
Those who do not own their own bike can also take part with Saddles & Paddles offering a half day's hire (worth £9) for FREE, or they can pay just £5 to hire a bike for the whole day. Contact Saddles & Paddles on 01392 424241 and quote 'Cycle Sunday' to book your bike in advance.
The programme of events throughout the day includes Dr. Bike clinics, FREE cycle security marking by the police, unicyclists demonstrations, cycling circus and trials bike displays, children's entertainment, Exeter Wildlife Watch activities, cycling information and route advice, and the opportunity to try out a Segway, which is a green and easy to use personal transporter. It is able to carry up to 20 stone and travel up to 24 miles on a single charge.
Cyclists can register on the day or can pick up a registration form at cycle shops throughout Exeter. It costs £3 for adults and £1 for children to take part. Rides can start any time between 11am and 2pm.
For more information or to request a registration form contact Cycle Exeter on 01392 382811/382089 or visit the website http://www.devon.gov.uk/cycleexeter
19th June 2007 |
