GREAT NOTTS BIKE RIDE 2008
The Great Notts Bike Ride, sponsored by Boots, is back for 2008 and it’s bigger and better than ever. With two new route options, including a Family Lap Challenge and a 100 mile Sportive, plus a Corporate Challenge for businesses, there really is something for everyone. Entries for all routes have gone live today on the event website
Taking place on Sunday 22 June, during national Bike Week, the Great Notts Bike Ride will also feature a 50 mile Challenge Ride and an 18 mile Community Ride, open to both individuals and organisations taking part in the Freeth Cartwright Corporate Challenge.
The Corporate Challenge invites businesses to take part in the Great Notts Bike Ride in teams with the challenge of raising the most money for the five event charities, rather than completing the course in the fastest time.
The County Council want to increase the charitable impact of the event, aiming to double the donations generated from £40,000 in 2007 to £80,000 this year. An additional charity; The Geoff Thomas Foundation, has been added to the four which benefited last year; Marie Curie Cancer Care, When you Wish Upon A Star, Rainbows Hospice and Cerebral Palsy Sport.
“We are thrilled to have been added to the charities that will benefit from the Great Notts Bike Ride and look forward to raising lots of money for the charities and the foundation which supports valuable research in to cancer treatment, some of which is carried out at Nottingham’s QMC.” Commented Geoff.
All routes will begin and end at Holme Pierrepont at varying times on the Sunday:
Family Lap Challenge
An off road course ideal for beginners and families or groups with varying abilities. A 5km course around Holme Pierrepont, which can be ridden as many times as participants wish. Children under 16 must be accompanied by at least one adult in each team. The first lap starts at 10.30am.
Community Ride (18 miles)
The perfect ride for beginners and cyclists who wish to push themselves a little. The 18 mile route takes riders out of Holme Pierrepont to Radcliffe on Trent, Shelford, Gunthorpe, Stoke Bardolph and back through Colwick Park to the starting point. The first riders will set off at 10am.
Challenge Ride (50 miles)
This route is for keen cyclists looking for a sporting challenge. 50 miles will take a bit of training if you are a beginner, but this distance is completely achievable in the three months you have to prepare. The course takes you on the 18 mile route and then north over the A46 through Cotham towards Newark. You then come back over the other side of the A46 through Kelham, Lowdam and Burton Joyce where you pick up the back end of the 18 mile route.
Sportive (100 miles)
A new option this year for the more serious cyclist; Nottinghamshire’s first organised sportive ride. The route takes riders out on the 50 mile course up in to north Nottinghamshire to Eaton where you go west in to Sherwood Forest and then south via Ollerton and Southwell where you rejoin the 50 mile route.
Freeth Cartwright Corporate Challenge (18 / 50 miles)
This year the Corporate Challenge has a choice of distances, meaning individuals within each team can opt for the 18 or 50 mile route, depending on their ability. Team size is recommended at five people. The challenge is to raise the most money for the event charities rather than to complete the routes in the fastest time. Team entry is £250, £100 of which goes straight to the charities.
The Family Lap and aspects of the start and finish of the other routes will be on closed roads. There will be five refreshment stations on the 50 mile route and an additional two on the sportive.
To enter any of the Great Notts Bike Ride events visit the website and enter online or download an entry form for a friend. If you need more information please call the information line 08449 80 80 80 or email bikeride@nottscc.gov.uk.
