Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 09:00
On Your Bike!
By Annabel Williams
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Riders taking part in On Your Bike.
THERE was no yellow jersey at the end but when villagers brought a touch of Le Tour de France to Sonning Common, they smashed a fundraising target.
The village’s On Your Bike event attracted more than 300 cyclists aged two to 77 and from as far afield as Aylesbury to Hungerford.
After covering a total of 2,600 miles between them, the miles matched the money as £2,600 was collected for Sonning Common Primary School and Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
Organised by the school’s PTA, the idea for the ride arose from the desire to create a healthy, fun event that the whole family could enjoy but where organising costs were kept to a minimum.
The annual event, which is now in its second year, has three routes – a short jaunt around the school playground for young children, a six-mile ride via Wyfold and a 12-mile route taking in Stoke Row, Checkendon, Hook End and Kidmore End.
Sponsor AW Cycles, in Caversham, provided a bicycle for the raffle which was won by Angus Williams from Woodcote.
Organiser Penny Snowden said: “On Your Bike exceeded all my expectations this year.
"Our target of 300 riders was surpassed as was our financial target of £2,000.
"Above all, the enthusiasm of everyone, from the volunteers, marshals and riders to the supporters who lined the route, was truly rewarding.
"The majority of people who took part were from the school and the local community but we were very pleased to reach out to people from much further away.
"Last year we had 262 entrants compared with 333 this year, so the event is clearly growing in popularity. We’re already starting to think about next year’s event, which will probably be the last Sunday in April.
"We’d like more riders, more sponsors and perhaps local businesses could enter teams.
"We also plan to hold more clinics to help parents understand how to cycle safely with children.
"This is a team effort and has become a wonderful community occasion which we are all proud to be part of.”
Link: www.onyourbikesonningcommon.com
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