Saddle Up!

Ride through the beautiful Chilterns countryside and raise money for Rennie Grove Hospice Care in the charity’s popular annual Chilterns Cycle Challenge, Sunday 20 March 2016. Choose from a 75 mile, 35 mile or 10k route, which all start and finish in Aylesbury town centre. The event promises to be a fabulous day and Rennie Grove Hospice Care is encouraging people of all ages and abilities to join them to take on the challenge.

Online registration is now open and hundreds of residents will be taking to two wheels to support the charity, which provides care for patients diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illness and their families.

Last year’s event saw over 500 people come together and tackle the Chiltern Hills and cycle paths, raising over £30,000 in sponsorship. It’s hoped that the challenge in 2016 will raise even more for the charity, helping it to meet the increasing demand for its services.

Gillian Barnett, Director of Fundraising & Marketing at Rennie Grove Hospice Care says “The Chilterns Cycle Challenge is a well-loved event, and much of its popularity is down to the fact that there’s a choice of three fantastic routes so there’s something for everyone. The 10k ride is perfect for a family wanting to enjoy a day out with young children as it makes use of the Gemstone cycle ways around Aylesbury, going through Watermead and Fairford Leys.

“If you’re feeling more adventurous, there’s also a 35 mile option where you cycle out to Kimble, Longwick and as far as Bledlow Ridge, then back through the Hampdens and Butlers Cross. Or, if you’re really looking to test yourself, there’s the ultimate challenge of 75 miles! Here, you’ll split from the 35 mile route to cover villages including Stokenchurch, Ibstone and Fingest, and go as far east as Latimer before returning back to Aylesbury through Berkhamsted and Wendover.”

All routes start and finish in Aylesbury town centre, and entry fees will depend on the distance you choose to take on. An adult (aged 18+) Early Bird entry for the 10k route is £15, for the 35 mile route it’s £17, and if you’re up for the ultimate challenge it’s £27 to cycle 75 miles. Child entry is £7.50 (aged 5-17 incl) and children under five can enter free of charge. From Friday 1 January, those wanting to take part will pay the full price, and the charity is encouraging both past participants and event newcomers to sign up early and start fundraising.

“The registration fee includes a Chilterns Cycle Challenge medal on completion, route signage throughout and marshal’s to encourage you along the way, it also includes refreshments along the route. It is your sponsorship money that makes a contribution to Rennie Grove Hospice Care,” says Gillian. “We do ask that you raise as much as possible to support the care we provide, and there are so many ways that you can do this – from a coffee morning to a car boot sale!

“We’re so grateful for the support we receive year on year in this event, and we’d love to see even more team entries of friends, family members and colleagues taking part. Entry to the challenge could even make a perfect Christmas present for someone who wants to join you, and you could plan some fundraising activities together in the run up to the event. We hope to see you there!”

For more information on the Chilterns Cycle Challenge or to register, please visit www.renniegrove.org/chilternscycle or call the Events Team on 01442 820740.