New Scheme Allows Less Abled Cyclists To Join the Surrey Classic Bike Ride

Published on: 23 May, 2015
Updated on: 23 May, 2015

On the left Karl Neave, Cycling projects right and Matt Hopper, Harlequins

A new scheme is being launched to give less abled people the chance to participate in the Surrey Classic Bike Ride.

Founded in 2014 and now in its second year, The Surrey Classic Bike Ride is part of the UK based Classic Bike Ride Series and is aiming to establish itself as one of the leading sporting events in the Surrey calendar.

In its inaugural year the event raised over £15,000 for charity and was attended by in excess of 350 riders. Event organisers anticipate that the 2015 event will eclipse this mark, both in terms of numbers of riders and in the amount of money raised for charity.

After the success of the 2014 event, the 2015 event has been rebranded as The Sanofi Surrey Classic Bike Ride.

To allow less abled people to join in, Sanofi, main sponsors of the event, have teamed up with Surrey Wheels for All who are offering access to their range of adapted bikes and tandems.

Local sports stars are helping launch the innovative scheme, with representatives Matt Hopper from Harlequins rugby and players from Surrey Storm netball as well as Julia Immonen from Sky Sports News.

Under the Bike Buddy Scheme, riders can apply for a loan tandem or adapted bike or bring their own. They can sign up with a friend or carer or apply to team up with a volunteer Bike Buddy. Riders are invited to sign up to the Bike Buddy Scheme directly on the Sanofi Surrey Classic Bike Ride website.

Matthew Wing from Surrey Wheels for All said: “Including the Bike Buddy scheme this year really means that most people will have the opportunity to participate if they want to help achieve their own personal goals or to raise money for others. We are proud to be associated with the event and hope that the Bike Buddy scheme becomes a permanent element of the Sanofi Surrey Bike Ride and other such events around the UK”.

The one day cycling event is taking place on Sunday 28 June 2015 and is being staged by Sanofi, under their Sanofi Inspires campaign along with partners Zeus Sports and their charity partner for the event, Sport for Freedom.

As well as a good day out for all, the main focus is to raise money for charities. Hundreds of riders are expected to take up the challenge.

The main Sanofi Surrey Classic Bike Ride will start and finish at Horsley Park with food and support provided for all riders. Cyclists can choose from four different routes of 15, 55, 85 and 100 miles around the beautiful Surrey countryside.

For more information regarding the event, please visit the Surrey Classic Bike Ride. website.