The Inaugural Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride is a massive success

09.09.2009

More than 1,200 cyclists from all over Great Britain, including National Road Race Champion Kristian House, got on their bikes on Sunday to take on a gruelling leg of The Tour of Britain, in a UK first.

Riders set off at 8am from underneath The Tour of Britain gantry outside the iconic Britannia Football stadium, home of Stoke City Football Club for The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride - taking on the exact professional route that will be undertaken by the World’s top professional cyclists on 16 September.

Regarded as one of the most arduous legs of The Tour of Britain – Stage 5 – many riders from every corner of the UK chose to take on the full 145km, pitting themselves against the same hilly terrain to be ridden by the pros. The fittest cyclists among the group took about five hours to complete but many took in the region of six to seven hours; understandable when you consider they climbed a total of 2006 metres. Some resorted to walking up notorious Gun Hill, a long steep climb just after passing Tittesworth Reservoir.

Others opted for the 70km Challenge Ride route or the 20km Family Ride at the event, which has already raised more than £150,000 for the Charity’s work to fight prostate cancer by investing in research, offering support and information and campaigning. Lots of spectators turned up to support the cyclists as they took on one of the hardest sportives in the country.

Kristian House, National UK Road Race Champion, said: "Anything that gets people on bikes is a good thing and this is a fantastic event. Obviously, the cause, fighting prostate cancer, is a very important one and I will do anything to support that if I can. To ride the route of the Stoke-on-Trent leg of The Tour of Britain is really good practice for me and its great to do it with so many people. Last year the finish in Stoke, right in the city centre, was unreal. The crowds were so loud and enthusiastic. To race in a city where I used to live in front of people who have supported me is really special."

Hugh Roberts, CEO for The Tour of Britain, said: “This is the first year of The Tour Ride in Stoke-on-Trent and the turnout has been tremendous. This is testament to the UniteByCycling partnership between The Tour of Britain and The Prostate Cancer Charity, where we are bringing people together on their bicycles while fighting for a good cause. To have the likes of Kristian House, National Road Race Champion, turn up is testament to the fact that we are doing the right thing.”

The event was staged as part of a new initiative called UniteByCycling, which features a range of cycling events, involving both professional cyclists and the general public. The activity is focussed around the Charity’s partnership with The Tour of Britain and the hosting of two special mass participation events in September. Following this event in Stoke-on-Trent, there is also another opportunity for people to get on their bikes in support of the Charity and ride the final London leg, around iconic landmarks of the capital in front of an expected 100,000 spectators.