Cycling enthusiasts have less than two months to sign up to and train for a charity bike ride which will take riders on a 60-mile adventure through the English countryside in aid of three amazing causes. Now in its 16th year, the Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity will take place on Sunday, 10 July, and aims to raise an estimated £300,000 for Norwood, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Down’s Syndrome Association.
Around 2,000 people are expected to take part in this year’s alternative London to Brighton ride. Participants will have the choice of either a 60-mile route from Surrey to the Hove seafront, a circular 60-mile Hove to Hove route, or a shorter 30-mile route from Haywards Heath to Hove.
They will be joined by Jon Feuchtwanger, who lives at Ravenswood, a residential community for people with learning disabilities in Berkshire run by organising charity Norwood.
Jon, 62, is one of a team of adults with learning disabilities who will take part in Capital to Coast on tandem bikes. He is a regular participant in Norwood’s fundraising bike rides and is jetting off over the Bank Holiday weekend for the YN Croatia Challenge. The bike rides are an important part of Norwood’s programme of multi-sport and leisure activities, which help people to learn new skills and improve their confidence and self-esteem.
Jon has a mild learning disability and, due to a communication impairment known as dysphasia, is non-verbal. However, through the help of his speech and language therapist, he said: “I like bike rides. They are so much fun. I am so excited to go and see a new place. I like seeing a lot of countries and especially my sister and brother in Israel. I have met so many special people. Bike rides are happy times.”
The Capital to Coast ride promises to be a great day out for the whole family. It follows a beautiful scenic route along picturesque country lanes and tackles the dreaded Devil's Dyke before the downhill stretch to the finish line. Riders are provided with plentiful free refreshments and mechanical support throughout, and on completing the challenge, can have a well-deserved massage and picnic by the sea as they are re-united with friends and family.
Ian Tate, Head of Challenges at organising charity Norwood, said: “The Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity is a great way to have a day out with your friends and family and get fit at the same time. All the money raised from the challenge will go to three vital causes providing life-changing services to some of the most vulnerable people in society. So why not join Jon, sign up today and turn your pedal power into vital funds for charity?”
For further information or to register to take part, please visit www.capitaltocoast.org.uk or call 020 8420 6944.
