Entries are now open for the Second Tour de Norfolk which takes place on Sunday 17 September at Norfolk Showground.
The Tour de Norfolk is a charity cycling event with riders offered a choice of four sportive routes ranging from 20 to 100 miles in distance.
Last year's inaugural mass participation cycle ride raised nearly £20K for Norfolk's Big C cancer charity and organisers are optimistic they will beat this sum, pledging that at least £2 from every registration, double that of last year, will be donated to the charity.
Organiser Luke Rumbelow announced the four on-road routes are 20, 40 , 70 or 100 miles and the routes will take cyclists heading towards north Norfolk, marking off Mattishall at 20 miles, Worthing at 40, Fakenham at 70 and Blakeney for the 100-mile cyclists. "There are so many pretty and scenic places we will take people," said organiser Luke Rumbelow. "The majority of the route will be on quiet lanes and for the competing cyclists, there a few hills to muster."
The start and finish point will once again be the Norfolk Showground where the 100 mile riders will be first to set off from 6.30am during a staggered start.
"We had such a successful first year of Tour de Norfolk," said Luke. "The team are busy behind the scenes to ensure the second event is bigger and better. We have listened to positive feedback and have made some new introductions, including a traffic-free family ride, enclosed within the showground that is perfect for beginners and young families.
"It is such a pleasure planning this event, people love it and the money raised goes to such a great charity," he added.
Big C events manager Dan Bell said;" Big C was overwhelmed by the success of this event and the generosity of the Tour de Norfolk team. We are also hugely grateful to everyone who literally got on their bikes and encouraged their family and friends and work mates to sponsor them to ride on behalf of Big C. This really does make a difference so get your Justgiving page for Big C started now!
"The money raised means that we can continue to support people in the county affected by cancer and make a real difference to the lives of them and their families. I urge you to sign up now- with your family and friends and enjoy a great day out and raise money for cancer patients."
The cyclosportive is carefully designed for every kind of rider, leisure or serious road, offering different length routes and organised by cyclists for cyclists. It is a chance for the leisure rider, or the family or riders looking to progress their cycling to enjoy cycling through picturesque towns and villages or for elite cyclists wanting a challenge at the end of the cycle tour season.
Cyclist safety and welfare is important for organisers so support vehicles and marshalls are posted along the route, as well as food and drink stations. All these are marked on a map provided to each registered cyclist.
For those not cycling, various attractions, music and catering will be available all day at the Showground, among them a large marquee hosting the Norfolk Cycle Show and Scott Cordy and his team from Pedal Addiction Cycles in Norwich who will be on hand for mechanical support. There will also be plenty of accessories for sale if any cyclist has forgotten anything or wants to see the latest in bikes.
Last year's event attracted about 1,300 cyclists who cycled nearly 90,000 miles, amazing organisers in its inaugural year and receiving praise from many of the cyclists for its organisation. One rider had a puncture and within 20 minutes was back on her way thanks to the support vehicles.
Others praised organisers for the choices of route and providing such a relaxed and entertaining experience at the showground. Caroline said: "The atmosphere is the key element that stands out from the event and Kate said, "The route was nicely different from others based in this part of Norfolk. When you do these regularly you find you end up on the same old roads over and over again."
Team Malteezers from Boortmalt raised just over £2,135, the most of any cyclists. Sue Pepperell, operations co-ordinator at the Bury St Edmunds business said, "As a company we hadn't done anything like this before as a team and it brought together a group of work colleagues who wouldn't necessarily have known each other as we all work in different departments. Everyone in the office was interested in how the training was going and really supported us which made it worthwhile and gave me the buzz."
Sue had never ridden further than 50 miles before signing up for the 100-mile route, but was motivated by the generosity of sponsors and witnessing first-hand the challenges faced by people with cancer.
"I personally know several people that are suffering or who have suffered with this terrible disease and how much support they have received from the Big C so I couldn't think of a better charity to support," she explained. "Doing the training in my view was nothing compared to what people with cancer have to go through."
Already Desira motor company has come forward as a lead sponsor and other companies are in the process of signing up to support the event. Director Michelle Gant said "Desira Jeep are proud to be sponsoring Tour de Norfolk, a great local event raising money for an amazing charity Big C. The Jeep 4x4s are fantastic support vehicles for the cyclists, both sharing the event and in everyday life!"
Tickets go on sale priced £12-£30, depending on distance at www.tourdenorfolk.co.uk. Event jerseys, caps and other branded cycling accessories are available in advance from the website.
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