Mammoth Charity Cycle Starts Tomorrow

Fifteen employees from England’s County Sports Parntnership (CSP) Network are cycling 300 miles in aid of charity. One of the riders, Rachel Belcher, Community Manager at Lincolnshire Sport, is raising money for disability sport in Lincolnshire. The monumental charity ride from London to Paris starts in the capital tomorrow morning.

The funds raised from the cycle ride will improve the lives of disabled people by helping them to get involved in sport and physical activity. The donations will be used to activate specific English Federation of Disability Sport projects aimed at engaging disabled people in sport and physical activity in Lincolnshire.

Charlie Crane, Partnership Manager at the CSP Network, said: “We are really excited to be organising this ride for our colleagues as the funding will make a real difference to helping disabled people of all ages access new sporting opportunities. We are extremely proud of the riders who have signed up across the country and we look forward to supporting them in the lead up to this exciting adventure.”

Rachel and the team will begin their 300-mile cycle ride on Thursday 2 June at Crystal Palace, and finish three days later at the Eiffel Tower. They will cycle through English villages to Calais, the rural French countryside and along the River Somme, before the big push into Paris on Sunday 5 June.

Speaking last month, Rachel said: “I’m very excited to be taking part in the challenge on behalf of Lincolnshire Sport. Training is currently going well and I’m looking forward to increasing the miles over the coming weeks.”

In preparation for her charity cycle ride, Rachel has been following a 16 week training plan which involves spin classes as well as evening and weekend bike rides.

She added: “Three solid days on a bike will be challenging but worth it. The money raised will go towards providing more opportunities for people of all ages with a disability to take part in sport and physical activity.”

As part of the fundraising efforts, Olympic Silver Medallist Bryan Steel, kindly donated a masterclass. Bryan will share his knowledge and skills of riding at the world’s highest level for 17 years at a masterclass with ten people, to help them become a more effective, efficient, safe and confident rider.

A ‘Do It for Charity’ page has also been set up to support Rachel’s challenge. With 30 days until the ride, she has raised a huge £1610, smashing her target of £1370.  You can find Rachel’s page and all the details on how to sponsor her here.

You can follow Rachel’s progress on the Lincolnshire Sport website.