13 days to 13th ride!
Smashing a mirror, spilling salt and putting shoes on the table are considered by some to bring bad luck, yet one Northampton MP is urging pedallers to ignore superstition and join the county’s favourite annual bike ride, Cycle4Cynthia, in its thirteenth year!
Michael Ellis, whose constituency is home to the event’s beneficiary, Cynthia Spencer Hospice, is calling for riders to set aside their triskaidekaphobia – the fear of the number 13 – and help achieve a record fundraising total for this most vital of charities at the event at Holdenby House on Sunday 25th September in just thirteen days’ time!
And the MP has every reason to believe that the number has no link to misfortune, as he explained on a recent visit to the Hospice to mark its 40th anniversary; “I was born on Friday 13th so I’ve always considered it to be a rather lucky number and indeed I’ve never worried about walking under ladders or spotting black cats!
“I would encourage cyclists to instead concentrate on the massive difference that their support could make to the amazing care offered by the team at the Hospice” he added.
And it turns out he’s not alone! Ian James, who will lead the British Pepper & Spice team for the eighth year, celebrated his 13th birthday on Friday 13th back in the 70s and he too is urging others to leap into the saddle: “The company has been proud to support the event for almost a decade now and it’s always been great to see so many firms pull together to help create a really fun and memorable ride” explained Ian.
“You just never know when you or your family might need the support of Cynthia Spencer so with thirteen days to go, get a gang of colleagues and friends together and join us for what promises to be another cracking day on two wheels!” he enthused.
Last year more than 1100 riders of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities donned their lycra to raise a record £76k for Cynthia Spencer Hospice, and with more than £400,000 raised over the last twelve years, it’s hoped that entry fees, sponsorship and sales of the special C4C cycling jersey might take the event’s total fundraising beyond the half a million pound mark.
More information, including details of the 5, 25 and 50 mile routes, entry and sponsorship forms, and the option to register online, is available on this website, meanwhile to purchase a C4C jersey, priced at £25, please call the Hospice on 01604 678082.
Riders can also register in person at Cynthia Spencer’s Day Hospice on Kettering Road, Northampton between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 24th September, or turn up on the day from 8am.
Cyclists are also encouraged to keep up to date with the latest news by ‘liking’ the ride’s page on Facebook.