A MAJOR charity cycle ride is set to be one of Coventry’s first events as European City of Sport for 2019 and could raise thousands for charity.
The Starley Sportive will return to Coventry and Warwickshire roads in February with a new, longer route.
It will offer cyclists the chance to shake off any Christmas cobwebs, and raise money for their chosen charities.
Riders have the choice of tackling three distances this year – a 28.6mile route, a 63.2mile long-distance ride, or an epic 86.5mile challenge – the event’s longest ever.
Last year’s event raised over £7,000 for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, based in Ash Green, as over 260 cyclists made their way across the region.
The charity cycle ride organised by Coventry Road Club recognises the contributions of inventors James and John Kemp Starley to the world of bicycles.
James Starley is known as the father of the bicycle industry, while his nephew John Kemp Starley is widely considered the inventor of the modern bicycle – and both worked and lived in Coventry.
February’s event will be the seventh edition of the sportive and Ian Court, race secretary at Coventry Road Club, thinks this year will be its biggest yet.
He said: “Last year’s event was a huge success and it would be great to see everyone who came along back for 2019, as well as some new faces.
“The amount we raised in 2018 was a great achievement, but if we could improve on last year’s fundraising total, that really would be something worth celebrating.”
Coventry City Council’s cabinet member public health and sport Kamran Caan said: “The sportive is a great way to get people active and to bring out our cycling enthusiasts.
“One of our main aims for our year as European City of Sport is to increase community participation across the city.
“We know taking part in sport is good for physical and mental well-being and events like this remind us that sport and activity are social as well.”
Online entry is priced at £12 and is available until Thursday, February 7, with early bird tickets on offer for £10 until Tuesday, January 1.
On-the-day entry will cost £15 subject to availability, online registration is recommended so riders are not left disappointed; with complimentary tea, coffee and cake for participants after the ride.
Places for the three distances can be booked online at www.cyclinguk.org/event/starley-sportive-2019
