There was a record number of cyclists at this year’s Acorn Sponsored 100k Charity Bike Ride which took place earlier this month. The charity event was supported by 540 cyclists, beating the previous year’s total by exactly 100 cyclists and generating £28,000 in funds for Acorn’s two charities – helping people with dementia and their carers in the Ripon and Harrogate area and for research into scleroderma at Leeds General Infirmary.
Acorn’s Stella Forster, Louise Hanen and Sharon Fraser at the start with sponsor Tim Naughton from Lights4Fun
The bike ride started at Bishop Monkton and followed a 100k circular route through Boroughbridge, Helperby, Easingwold, Sheriff Hutton, Linton on Ouse and Marton-cum-Grafton before returning to Bishop Monkton. The route was marshalled by over 50 volunteers and lunch was provided at Sheriff Hutton with tea and cake at the finishing point in Bishop Monkton. St John’s Ambulance were on hand to deal with medical emergencies and Chevin Cycles of Otley with mechanical difficulties. Lunch was generously sponsored by ASDA and the whole event was sponsored by Lights4Fun.
This was the fifth annual Acorn Sponsored Bike Ride which began as a challenge for Acorn supporters in 2007 and has now become a very popular date in the cyclists’ calendar. Everyone is encouraged to join in from serious road cyclists to enthusiastic amateurs and a number of tandems completed the route. Local businesses and clubs were also encouraged to use the event as a team-building exercise with teams from Imageco, Team Duxbury, WheelEasy, Well Oiled Cogs, Madad’s Army, The Milton Cottage Peddlars, Thorp Arch Mob, Virgin Gym, The Jewson Lot, Aldwark Spinners, Rievaulx Revlers, Riley Team and Team NESL. Fastest riders on the day were Mike Worden 2hrs 46 mins and Nick Patterson 2hrs 46.5 mins and joint first ladies were Corrine Mitchell and Joanne Kettringham 3hrs 19 mins.
Acorn Chairman, Louise Hanen, who recently won an award on behalf of the charity for her work in the community, said, ‘It is extraordinary how this event has grown each year. We are indebted to all the volunteers who help us to make this a fantastic day for all involved. The money raised makes such a difference in the community, enabling us to support many people in the community with dementia and to continue important research into scleroderma at Leeds General Infirmary.’
Once all the sponsorship money has been received by Acorn, the cyclist generating the largest amount of sponsorship money will receive a ladies’ or gents’ mountain bike which has generously been donated by Chevin Cycles of Otley. Photographs of the day are on Acorn’s Facebook page.
