Cycling tourists ride across region
ALMOST 1,600 cyclists saddled up to take part in the 6th Tour de Manc, a charity bike ride through Rochdale and across Greater Manchester.
It was due to take place in May but was cancelled due to the pandemic and was re-scheduled for Sunday, September 5 - setting off from Bowlee Country Park in Middleton.
The event is increasingly popular, with double the number of entrants this year compared to 2019.
It was split into four distinct rides, depending the ability of the rider: the 200-mile ‘Mad Manc’, the 100-mile ‘Full Manc’, the 100-Kilometer ‘Half Manc’ and the 50km ‘Mini Manc’. The route went through Newhey and Milnrow, as well as past Rochdale Town Hall.
Depending on which of the four categories they entered, the riders went as far as Belmont in Lancashire, north of Bolton, Wigan and Saddleworth.
The youngest was 16 and the oldest 89.
The 2019 event raised £135,000 for a series of Manchester-based charities and this year the organisers hoped to exceed that for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, the Seashell Trust and the Haematology & Transplant Support Charity (HATS) at The Christie hospital.
Founder and co-organiser Danny Franks said: “It’s not just your elite cyclists or men in lycra. We are reaching out to all cyclists to come and do the Tour de Manc.”
He decided to launch the event after watching the Tour de France come through Yorkshire in 2014 and it has grown in popularity over the last six years.
He added: “The Tour de Manc is about raising money for Manchester charities using the inclusive power of cycling.
“It is not a race. Our original idea was to run epic cycling events which could raise significant funds for registered charities.
“We’re delighted that the event is growing and is using cycling as a force for good in Greater Machester.
“Cycling has recently had big boost in popularity as people of all ages seek to keep fit and healthy, and we welcome all new riders who want to take on the Tour de Manc challenge.”