The Great Big Bike Ride
This years Great Big Bike Ride will take place on Saturday 5th September 2009
What is it?
The Great Big Bike Ride began with a casual conversation between Peter Bird of The Bicycle Hub and Paul Cronin back in 2007. Both are keen cyclists and were looking for ways to encourage people to get on their bikes and explore Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin through the excellent network of cycle paths available.
As Chief Executive of Severn Hospice, Paul’s thoughts quickly turned to fundraising opportunities and an event was born. On 23 September 2007 a motley crew of 67 riders arrived at Blists Hill Victorian Town, (courtesy of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust), to undertake a sponsored 12 mile ride.
Following positive feedback from the participants the event quickly began to snowball. Other partners came on board – in particular Telford Centre Rotary Club and Shropshire CTC – and new routes were added to suit different abilities.
The 2009 event takes place on Saturday 5 September and registration is now open. The Great Big Bike Ride 2009 features 12 mile, 26 mile and 100km routes. Full details of each route together with maps are available on this website.
Tell me more?
The range of routes makes The Great Big Bike Ride suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. For most of their distance the 12 and 26 mile routes follow off-road cycle paths and they head to both Telford Town Park and Ironbridge itself, family-friendly destinations offering a range of attractions and refreshments. The 26 mile route goes on to Bridgnorth, giving further opportunities to take a break. The 100km route is road-based and takes in stunning parts of the Shropshire and Telford countryside.
The event is non-competitive. It has two aims – to encourage people to use their bikes to explore the county and to raise essential funds for Severn Hospice. Speeds will not be recorded and racing is not permitted. Further information is available on the registration page of this website.
What do I do now?
Print off a registration form and return it with the appropriate registration payment to The Appeals Department, Severn Hospice, Apley Castle, Telford TF1 6RH. If you need any additional information before registering please explore the rest of this website and, if you cannot find the answers here, email telfordappeals@severnhospice.org.uk or call 01952 221 351. We can also post registration forms to you if you are not able to print for any reason.
Events like The Great Big Bike Ride are essential to secure the future of Hospice services in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and your sponsorship will make a real difference to our work.
