The newly-formed London Green Cycling Club is organising the 500km Charity Challenge, due to begin in York on July 30, following several stages of last year’s Tour de France, and finishing with the Prudential Ride 100 in London on August 2.
Among the 25 amateur cyclists are LWARB chief operating officer Wayne Hubbard, Dan McCartney of DCLG and Peter Daw a former climate change policy manager at the Greater London Authority.
The group is aiming to raise a total of £40,000 for causes nominated by each of the team, ranging from charities helping people with mental health issues such as Wandsworth & Westminster Mind and the As You are Centre, through to charities working to protect the capital’s wildlife such as London Wildlife Trust.
For information on donating to the nominated charities: click here.
Among the challenges faced by the team along the route is the climb to the summit of Cragg Vale, one of the most renowned cycling climbs in the country, which has an average gradient of 7% over 4 kilometres. They will also tackle Holme Moss which peaks at 524 metres.
Mayor
Lending his support ahead of the ride, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The London Green Cycling Club has set quite a challenge. Having ridden in the Prudential Ride London event a couple of years ago, I know how much of a challenge riding 100 miles is. So cycling 200 miles in the three preceding days as well is pretty heroic. I urge you to support them in any way you can as they are raising money for nearly 20 charities big and small.”
Some of the group met at the Rapha Cycle Club in central London last night (June 29) for an official launch event for the challenge, and the Club’s chairman Wayne Hubbard offered letsrecycle.com an insight into the group’s rigorous training schedule ahead of July 30.
He also urged businesses and individuals to back the group, adding: “We have been overwhelmed by the support so far for the ride. The response from businesses has been incredible and I would urge other environment businesses in London and beyond to get behind our efforts.”
Mr Hubbard also thanked North London-based waste firm Powerday, which is sponsoring the team on the ride and has supplied branded shirts for each of the 28 riders to wear along the route.
Powerday
Riders have also been backed by environmental services and technology companies Glendale Services and Webaspx.
Mick Crossan chairman of Powerday said: “Powerday has always placed the environment and maintaining strong links to our local communities at the heart of our business and promoting sport participation is central to that. We are extremely proud to sponsor the London Green Cycling Club’s epic 500km charity bike ride. With so many riders raising money for environmental and local community groups this fits perfectly with our own ethos. We want to wish all the riders the very best on their journey.”
To donate visit the London Green Cycling Club website. Riders are raising money directly for their charities but we are also raising money as the LGCC. Any team donations or sponsorship will be divided between each of the named charities.
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