Date: 10th May, 2018
Keen cyclists can still book their place on the Bangers & Bikes sportive, which is taking place in Salisbury this Sunday (13 May).
Starting and finishing at Salisbury fire station, the event offers four different routes, and all riders can enjoy a drink and a sausage in a roll once they finish.
Routes are: the short 15k, suitable for younger riders; a standard 32k; an epic 75k; and a 100k century cycle, all to the north of the medieval city of Salisbury, taking in existing parts of the Wiltshire cycleway and into the Woodford Valley, with the longer option also taking in Amesbury, Shrewton and passing close to Stonehenge.
Registration opens at 8am at Salisbury fire station and there are timed starts of 9.30am for the 100k riders, from 9.45am for the 75k riders, and from 10am for the two shorter routes.
The event, now in its second year, is in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity and the Macular Society’s Research Fund.
The Fire Fighters Charity (www.firefighterscharity.org.uk) provides support to all personnel within the fire and rescue service, including vital recuperation and rehabilitation facilities for injured firefighters.
The Macular Society (www.macularsociety.org/research) is the national charity for anyone affected by central vision loss. It funds clinical research and has supported groundbreaking developments in areas including stem cell treatment.
Group Manager Dave Jacomb, from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, is one of the organisers, and said: “The event was the brainchild of Lesley Aldridge, whose husband John is one of our Assistant Chief Fire Officers. The Macular Society’s Research Fund was chosen as a beneficiary as a close relative of the Aldridge family suffers from juvenile macular degeneration, while we all have a connection to the Fire Fighters Charity. Last year’s sportive was great fun and we’d love to see even more people get involved this year.”
He added: “The choice of routes makes it suitable for everyone, from families through to dedicated road cyclists, and we hope to raise a lot of money for our charities through entry fees, rider sponsorship and a fundraising draw on the day. It is also a way for us to support the #LoveSalisbury campaign!”
Entries can be made through www.salisburyfirestation.info or on the day.