The challenge will raise money for Cancer charity CLIC Sargent and the family of young Ben Bennett from Bude, who is suffering from a rare form of childhood cancer.
Team members Stuart Knowler and Tom Westlake said: “For us, as a group of ‘bike nuts’, it was our first thought when we heard the news about little Ben’s diagnosis. We all wanted to do something to help and the ride project very quickly took shape.
“We mentioned it to other friends and before we knew it 13 people had signed up and the ‘Chainiacs’ team was born.
“It was important to us that we did something that symbolised the incredibly hard journey that Ben’s family and the many other families, who are all in the same predicament, have to make helping to bring their children back to full health again. It seemed like the very least we could do.”
The group has already managed to raise more than £700 from ‘Ride Jersey’ sponsors who, in return for donations, will have their logos on the riders’ backs. So far they have had an amazing response from 14 companies, businesses and individuals, all wanting to support the cause alongside the riders’ main sponsor, Bude Windows, who have generously paid for all their tops.
The riders will be setting off from the Stratton Road entrance to Budehaven School at 6.30am, heading to Holsworthy, Hatherleigh, Tiverton, Wellington, Taunton and on to Burrowbridge, Wedmore, Axbridge, Congresbury and finally hoping to finish at Bristol Children’s Hospital at around 5pm, where Ben is currently undergoing treatment. Full route details can be found at http://www.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4154033.html
The team would like to see people who live along the route come out and support them as they pass — and even ride some of the way with them.
With the help of the public and CLIC Sargent’s support in helping promote the ride, the hope is to raise at least £1,500 before the ride on Sunday. Online donations are gratefully accepted via JustGiving at https://www.justgiving.com/bensbigbikeridebude
People can follow the rest of the preparations and track progress of the ride on the day via the team’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bensbigbikeride and via twitter https://twitter.com/bensbigbikeride with the hashtag #bensbigbikeride