Cycling shop gets in right gear to join Big Bike Ride

Cyclists can pedal for this paper’s charity of the year FareShare by taking part in the KM Big Bike Ride.

The annual challenge for leisure and sportive riders is open for booking at www. kmbigbikeride.co.uk and participants can raise sponsor money for any good cause of their choice.

Organiser the KM Charity Team is expecting hundreds of cyclists to saddle up on Sunday, April 24. Riders will take on a 100K coastal route or 50K version through the countryside planned by Locks of Sandwich Cycles.

It’s the second year the business, which is the official 100K cycling event partner, has played a key role in the challenge to encourage take up of cycling as a hobby.

Locks’ owner Andy Croucher added: “We’re trying to encourage people to get sponsorship, possibly do it in fancy dress, because the more Lisa Craig of the KM Charity Team with Andy Croucher and Martin Hayes of Locks of Sandwich Cycles money you raise the better.”

Locks of Sandwich Cycles was a key partner of last year’s event which saw more than 450 riders raise £20,000 for charity.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said: “The KM Big Bike Ride is a highlight of the sportive calendar and an excellent way for good causes to boost their funds. There’s a lot of excitement and pride at the finish line where riders receive their souvenir medals and goody bags.”

Book for the event, being staged at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal, at www.kmbigbikeride.co.uk and use the code KMPRBB16 for a £5 discount.

A sportive photograph will be taken of each participant during the event. Riders aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Companies interested in supporting the KM Big Bike Ride should contact Lisa Craig on 0844 264 0291 or email lcraig@thekmgroup.co.uk.