The organisers of Sunday’s inaugural Greater Brighton Cycle Challenge are urging people to bring water bottles with them as temperatures are expected to soar.
Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) and The Living Coast have created a mega cycling event with rides across the South Downs and at the Preston Park velodrome, raising money to help homeless people and other local good causes.
All the rides start from Preston Park velodrome, which will host a family-friendly event with entertainment all day and the opportunity to take part in Brighton Housing Trust’s Around The World cycle challenge – riding as many laps of the track as you can manage if road cycling isn’t for you.
And with the Met Office already issuing a Level One heatwave warning which is expected to rise to Level Two by the end of the week, riders are being asked to take extra care.
BHT chief executive Andy Winter said: “Of course we are delighted that the forecasts are for glorious weather this weekend, but I do urge all those taking part to keep themselves well hydrated on their rides.
“We will have water available at the Velodrome for those taking part in this family friendly event, as well as at points on the more ambitious Living Coast rides through the South Downs.
“However, as this is an event where we are aiming to minimise the use of single use plastic products, we won’t be providing bottles ourselves and participants should bring their own which they can refill from our supplies.
“Given the wonderful weather forecast, there is no reason why people should not register now to take part. The Around the World Cycle Challenge takes part at the Preston Park Velodrome where we hope to complete a total of 69,215 laps, equivalent of cycling ‘around the world’.
“For those more ambitious, and who are regular cyclists, there are the Living Coast rides around the beautiful South Downs, one ride of 30 miles and the other, for very keen cyclists, of 58 miles.
“The heatwave is a timely reminder of the purpose of this event, to raise funds for First Base Day Centre where, throughout the year, rough sleepers can get water, tea and coffee, breakfasts and lunch, as well as other essentials to maintain basic dignity and life.”
Former Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Pete West will be riding tandem with David Lilburn MBE on the 30 mile Devil’s Dyke Loop ride.
Cllr West will be raising funds for BHT and David’s sponsorship will go to UK Homes For Heroes, a charity raising awareness and supporting homeless ex forces personnel. David runs a weekly outreach session on the seafront for homeless people.
Cllr West said: “I’m very pleased to be taking this challenge and raising funds for the amazing work that Brighton Housing Trust does. They give so much support and advice to rough sleepers and others who find themselves homeless. Everyone deserves the right to decent housing. I hope we can stay the course and do our bit to help out.”
David Lilburn added: “I got involved with charity work after I left the Royal Marines in 1988 and have raised in excess of £2.5 million during this time. I have a passion for doing extreme challenges and couldn’t resist the opportunity of riding with Pete for such good causes.”
Kelly Channell from Crawley is riding with friends after enjoying a similar ride last year. She is one of 2000 “Breeze champions” across the UK who encourage women to cycle. She said:
“I really enjoyed the ride through The Living Coast last year and wanted do it again. More and more women are cycling and the Breeze champions support network is a great way of encouraging them. Both of these rides will be great for women because the routes are well signed, there are support vehicles and lots of encouragement from other riders. I really recommend giving it a try.”
Anthony Probert from Bioregional, one of The Living Coast partners, is riding the 58 mile Classic route with four friends, raising money for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity’s Trevor Mann appeal. This is a cause close to Anthony’s heart after his son Zach was born prematurely last year.
Anthony said: “We will forever be grateful for the work of the Trevor Mann baby unit for the care and support they provided to Zachary (and to us!). Without them, he might not be here.my friends, Mark, Paul, Steve and Aaron will join me in cycling the Greater Brighton Cycle Challenge to raise money for the vital work they do. We hope to raise £5 for every kilometre we cycle.
Rich Howorth, manager of The Living Coast Unesco Biosphere programme, who is also riding the full Classic route for charity said: “We’re really excited to be showcasing the natural wonders of The Living Coast, our world-class environment – recognised by Unesco – whilst raising money for some great local causes.
“Our Biosphere is all about connecting people with the special nature on their doorstep, and cycling is a great way to appreciate it. We’ll be travelling through our different environments on the ride, out from Brighton along the coast to Newhaven and up to Lewes before heading west along the South Downs and back via Shoreham. The ride promises to be a fantastic day out.”
For more information and to register for one of the challenges, visit www.bht.org.uk – or click here to donate https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/brightonhousingtrust/greaterbrightoncyclechallenge
