C4C - The Best yet!
Northamptonshire’s favourite annual fundraising bike ride has done it again – bringing together budding Boardmans and sociable cyclists in a triumphant day of two-wheeling! Cycle 4 Cynthia, which returned to Althorp on Sunday (13th September) by kind permission of The Earl Spencer, saw an amazing 1132 riders leap into their saddles and pedal more than 45,000 miles around the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside – all in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
Among the cycling clubs, teams of work colleagues and families to ride the 5, 25 and 50 mile routes were John Judge from Northampton and his four year old son Harrison who were taking part for the first time. As John explained, it’s a cause dear to their hearts; “My Grandad was cared for in the last days of his life by the hospice and I can’t think of a better charity to support and to say thank you in this wonderful way” he explained.
“Harrison loved it so much that as soon as he’d finished the five mile route we had to go back out and do it again and he reckons he wants to do the 25 mile route next year! He’s so little he doesn’t really understand distances yet!” he added.
Meanwhile another family had reason to celebrate with 22 year old Giorgio Ferraro from Harlestone coming in first on the 25-mile route, in a time more than a minute faster than his last Cycle 4 Cynthia; “It’s not a race of course but as any keen cyclist will tell you, it’s always great to know that you’ve gone quicker personally!” explained Giorgio after collecting his rider’s medal.
“I just have to wait now for Mum and Dad to get back in but that’s fine because it’s just fantastic to be a part of this brilliant atmosphere and to know that it’s all in aid of such a great cause!’ he enthused.
The staggered 50 mile and 25 mile routes starts were launched by Saints coach Jim Mallinder, who kindly leapt to the aid of one rider who was having gear trouble by giving him a push up the hill!
Meanwhile fellow Saintsmen, Academy coach Mark Hopley, back row Sam Dickinson and kit man Kevin Buckley, were cheered on from the side lines by Dylan Hartley who wasn’t riding on account of the fact that he was on ‘fatherhood’ duty to his month-old daughter, but who kindly set off the five-milers.
Speaking at the end of the ride, which had been mercifully blessed with warm, dry weather despite the forecast, the Hospice’s fundraising manager John Helm offered his appreciation to all those who’d turned out; “We’ve already had some really heart warming comments on our facebook page and emails to say what a super day it was.
“So we just want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved, including Althorp for hosting us, our teams of marshals and volunteers, the Saints guys and especially to all the riders themselves who have helped to create another truly wonderful day” said John.
It will be some time before it is known if the 2014 total of almost £64,000 has been bettered but for now, riders are kindly encouraged to collect their sponsorship money as quickly as possible and deliver or send it to Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Manfield Campus, Kettering Road, Northampton NN3 6NP, making cheques payable to ‘Cycle 4 Cynthia’.
Photos from the event will shortly be on the website - www.cycle4cynthia.co.uk and on the facebook page. Meanwhile to pledge your sponsorship or support for next year’s ride, please call the hospice on 01604 678088.