People of Britain encouraged
to get on their bikes as new research reveals that quarter of bike
owners cycle only a handful of times a year
The Prostate Cancer Charity is urging
people across the UK to get on their bikes and take on one of its
'Tour Rides'. The Charity launched the events, which offer the
opportunity to ride in 'the tracks of the pros' on an official
stage of The Tour of Britain, three years ago, and they have gone
from strength to strength.
More than 4,500 people took to two
wheels last year and the Charity has extended the number of events
it will stage this year from three to five, offering brand new
events in Wales, Scotland and East Anglia. The rides will also
return to Stoke-on-Trent and London.
The rides - which last year raised over £500,000 - are designed
to offer cyclists both a credible and challenging route, as well as
to bring people together to raise funds to fight the most common
cancer in men in the UK.
A new survey for the Charity, carried out by ICM Research, has
revealed that despite an overwhelming 82 per cent of bike owners in
Britain choosing to take to the saddle as a form of exercise, a
quarter of these would-be-cyclists will do so only a handful of
times a year.
Katie Robbins, Project Manager of The Tour Rides, said: "The
research shows there are thousands of gleaming bikes laying lonely
and unused across the UK. We are urging people to quite literally
'get on their bikes' and join thousands of people across the UK in
making a statement in the fight against this disease, which kills
one man every hour.
"The Tour Rides offer an unparalleled challenge to keen
cyclists. The routes offer the same experience as the pro riders in
The Tour of Britain. They also make a fantastic challenge for
people who had good intentions when they bought their bike. All of
the money raised will go towards research, campaigning or support
and information for the 37,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer
every year."
The rides have been well-supported by both luminaries in the
sport and celebrity ambassadors.
Professional cyclist, Ed Clancy MBE, said: "I did the
Stoke-on-Trent ride last year. I enjoyed it. The Tour Rides are a
great opportunity for people to be able to actually ride the same
route themselves and challenge themselves against the pros. It was
really well organised with food stops along the way, race cars and
good signage. Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men
in the UK, so it was also good to do this for a good cause and get
the message out there."
Hugh Roberts Chief Executive of The Tour of Britain, added: "The
Tour Rides offer a fantastic opportunity for riders to take on the
challenge of a Tour of Britain stage and compare themselves to the
professional cyclists from The Tour. That they can do so
whilst raising funds and awareness to combat prostate cancer makes
it an even more worthwhile cause, and reason to get on your
bike."
For further information, please visit www.tourride.co.uk