With just over two weeks to go cyclists in their hundreds are signing up for the inaugural Bike Oxford cycling event to be held at Oxford University Rugby Club on 7 September. Up to 1,000 cyclists are expected to ride on one of three marked rides of 20, 50 or 80-miles.
The organisers of the new cycling event are not new comers to the sportive scene and recently delivered the successful Bike Bath event in June, which attracted 1300 riders and are hoping to replicate what they achieve in Bath in another stunning UK city.
The event is receiving a lot of support from local businesses, charities and individuals, and are now able to confirm that Nuffield Health have signed up as Official Partner and the Manor Hospital will be showcasing some of their broad range of health and wellbeing services at the event. The Manor Hospital, Oxford’s charity partner of the year is Rosy – ‘Respite Nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters’ and the hospital will be encouraging riders to sign up for Bike Oxford and raise money through a nominated charity donation website for Rosy.
Riders are able to choose any charity to ride for and further details are on the Bike Oxford website. Any ride can be selected with the 20-mile distance being featured as the distance most suitable for youngsters as riders under-16 can ride for free provided they are riding with a registered adult.
Another event partner recently confirmed is the law firm Withy King who have already entered a team on the 7 September and are busy recruiting more riders through their dedicated charities committee as part of their Withy King Summer of Sport campaign.
The event organisers pride themselves by offering varied routes of different levels and distances which can appeal to the enthusiastic cyclist to the novice/commuter cyclists. All rides start and finish at the Oxford University Rugby Club and take in some of the iconic sites of the City before heading out into the surrounding spectacular Oxfordshire countryside.
Another stand out for this event will be the rider feed-stations on offer. The team at Bike Oxford are busy contacting local food and drink suppliers and are receiving positive feedback from those wanting to offer their tasty fayre to help re-fuel hungry cyclists. Those riders choosing the 80 mile route will be rewarded with a feed-station at the Hook Norton Brewery which is located in the beautiful Cotswold village of Hook Norton - a fabulous location to enjoy some delicious food before heading off on the next leg of the route.
Talking about the event, Jayne Fishwick, from the Bike Oxford team, says, “We believe the event will appeal to all ages and levels of cycling experience. The event has been designed so that there is something for everyone, the 20-mile family and commuter challenge is an ideal distance for those new to cycling and for the more adventurous there is a 50 and 80-mile ride.”
All rides will head out from the Oxford University Rugby Club and take in a two mile loop of the City of Oxford and take in some iconic sites, the 20-mile route will then head out through lovely countryside to villages such as Elsfield and Woodeaton before returning to Oxford. The 50-mile route is a shortened version of the 80-mile route which will be flatter and faster and takes in some glorious Cotswold countryside on a gently rolling course. The 80-mile route heads north out of the city towards Bletchingdon via Islip and on towards the edge of the Costwolds. Passing through Hook Norton, Great Rollright, Chipping Norton, Woodstock – you will see the best of the local villages and countryside on a rolling course with 4000ft of climbing!
The routes are now published on the Bike Oxford website and riders simply have to sign up via the Bike Oxford website, or for corporate or charity teams get in touch and the organisers can advise riders what to do.
With support from The Oxfordshire County Council, Steve Phillips, Network Co-ordinator says, “Oxfordshire County Council have been working with the Bike Oxford organisers on the route design, event planning and safety aspects of the event and we support public sporting events in Oxfordshire.”
The event is also championed by local Oxford MP, Andrew Smith who said, "I am really excited that this cycling event is coming to Oxford in September. As well as generating enormous interest in Oxford as a cycling city and encouraging a lot more people to cycle, Bike Oxford is bound to offer some really enjoyable rides."
With the Tour of Britain arriving in the region the following week, this event gives cyclists of all ages and abilities a chance to enjoy another unique cycling experience.
The event is engaging with a number of charities who see an opportunity to raise both their profile and valuable funds at the event. The attraction for charities is they just have to encourage riders to sign up as all the organisation of the actual rides are sorted.
Bike Oxford will also make a donation of £1 per rider to Sustrans. Adam Hazell from the Oxford Sustrans office declared that, “Sustrans support the exciting vision of the organisers and look forward to working with the team as their plans take shape. We have seen the success of similar events in Bath and Yorkshire where riders raised considerable sums for worthwhile causes and the events attracted support from over a hundred businesses.”
A Bike Oxford award will be presented to all finishers and after ride entertainment will be awaiting cyclists at the Oxford University Rugby Club.
The event website is www.bikeoxford.co.uk and registration is now open here. Those interested can like the event on Facebook BikeOxford or follow the event on Twitter or email.
