Britain's ultimate cycling challenge launched, 64 day circumnavigation of coastline
THIS Summer will see a group of
cyclists circumnavigating Great Britain by bicycle, starting and finishing from
Holyhead on Anglesey in a 64 day, 6,800 kilometre challenge.
Starting on Saturday, 4 July 2015, the day the world's greatest bike race the,
Tour de France starts, and finishing on Saturday, 5 September 2015, the eve of
the Friends Life Tour of Britain's Grand Depart from Anglesey, the Countrywide
Great Tour is supported by Countrywide, the UK's largest and most successful
estate agency and property services group.
Commenting on Countrywide's involvement in The Great Tour, Alison Platt, Chief
Executive Officer of Countrywide PLC said:- "We are thrilled to support
The Great Tour as lead sponsor and are very pleased to strengthen our
involvement in supporting the local communities all along the route. We were
particularly struck by the opportunity to develop extensive charitable support
and as a national organisation thought that we could support the Great Tour
around the entire country"
The Countrywide Great Tour is being put on in tandem with CTC, the national
cycling charity, who are the experts in helping and supporting thousands of
everyday cyclists to realise the joys and benefits of cycling. CTC are
supporting the riders with trained ride leaders, insurance and membership
package.
"CTC has been helping cyclists ride for leisure and pleasure for over 137 years
and is proud to be part of such a stunning cycling event. We want as many people
as possible to join us and have a fun and enjoyable time exploring the fantastic
riding the coastline of Britain has to offer..." said CTC Chief
Executive Officer Paul Tuohy.
Each day of the Countrywide Great Tour will have capacity for up to 250 riders,
with a core group of riders completing the entire challenge. Along the way they
will be joined by members of the public wishing to ride a day or week of the
route, plus riders from corporate and charity partners, using the event to raise
funds for good causes.
Among the charities to have already signed up to the Countrywide Great Tour as a
fundraising and awareness platform are Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research; Anthony
Nolan; Macmillan; and Alzheimer's Society.
Commenting on the launch, Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of organisers SweetSpot
Group, who personally completed the Great Tour route in 2010 said:- "The
Countrywide Great Tour is a fantastic challenge. We want to stimulate cycle
tourism by creating and formalising a route that circumnavigates Britain's
fantastic coastline, drawing attention to all of the attractions it has to
offer. We hope to firmly establish the Countrywide Great Tour as an annual
event, providing a platform for charitable fundraising and promoting cycling in
each of the communities it touches around the coast."
Working with partners Ordnance Survey, each day of the Countrywide Great Tour
will be mapped and shared using Ordnance Survey products, with an official route
app also being published. A 'club' will also be created for riders who have
completed the entire circumnavigation, whether in one go, or over a prolonged
period.
For more information about the Countrywide Great Tour, please visit:-
TheGreatTour.Co.UK to find out about
all 64 legs of this epic challenge.
