Cycle4Cynthia sets another remarkable riding record!
Nearly nine hundred riders have pedalled a total of almost 30,000 miles around the county to make this year’s Cycle 4 Cynthia the biggest and best yet!
The event, which raises money for two charities, The Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support in the county, was staged for the first time in its eight year history at Althorp and was opened by Karen, Countess Spencer who was performing her first official UK duty since marrying the Earl Spencer in June.
Addressing the assembled throng of riders at the West Gate to the Estate, and looked on by two further Spencers – the hospice’s new rabbit mascot and her husband, who was there to lend a supporting ear - Karen spoke of her delight at being involved. “It’s super to be able to host you at our wonderful home,” she told the cyclists, ‘and if I may speak on behalf these two charities, thank you so much for lending your support.”
She also spoke warmly of her new family connection to the event. “I’ve seen firsthand the vital work of the hospice, which of course is named after my husband’s grandmother, and that of the Macmillan nurses team, and so I know what today, and your efforts, means to them.” With that she then thanked the crowd for the honour of being asked to start the event, fired the hooter and set the pedallers on their way.
Riders chose from distances of five, 25 and 50 miles, all of which set off through the Park, and clearly the new routes were a great success! Husband and wife team Maxwell and Lynsey Bagnell from Northampton took just under three hours to cycle the 25 miles aboard their tandem and were full of praise for the new venue. “This is a gorgeous setting,” said Maxwell “and it was real high to see the Earl and Countess too. Sometimes the legs were a bit sore, pumping up the hills, but you only had to look around you at the glorious countryside and it really helped us to keep going!”
Meanwhile, the youngest participant was an aptly-named, 8 month old Madeleine McMillan, who hitched a ride, along with her sister Jasmine aged 10, aboard Dad Alastair’s three-seater. Not to be outdone, Mum Bernadette shared her tandem with their five-year-old son Euan, while their third daughter Heidi, aged 13, went solo! “We live in Spinney Hill” said Alastair, “so this is a great way to have a super family day out and help the hospice on our doorstep. We took part last year but this setting is much better!” And when challenged on why they didn’t do the 50 mile route; “We cycled here,” said Bernadette “and we’ve got to cycle home so that’s more than enough for one day – but we’ve all loved it!”
Similar sentiments rang out across the event village as riders returned to the Estate for their well-earned refreshments, much to the delight of one of the organisers, Sue Bownass of The Friends of Cynthia Spencer. “Today has just been awesome” she grinned, “with everyone saying what a fantastic atmosphere it is. We’re absolutely thrilled to be at Althorp and with the invitation from Earl Spencer to be back here next year, I think we’ve found a wonderful new home!”
Meanwhile Bernadette Halton, who is Macmillan’s Area Fundraising Manager covering Northamptonshire, paid tribute to the many hundreds of riders who turned out to make it such a success. “We can’t really say a big enough thank you to those who’ve leapt into their saddles and joined us, and thanks to the good weather, we’ve had almost 100 riders turn up on the day, which is great. And I must also say thanks to all the companies who’ve sponsored us so generously and to all our volunteers who made this such an amazing day – we couldn’t have done it without them!”
While the number of riders taking part is a ten percent increase on last year’s 800, it will be some time before it's known if the 2010 total of £40,000 has been bettered.
Riders are kindly encouraged to collect their sponsorship money as quickly as possible and deliver or send it to The Friends of Cynthia Hospice, Manfield Campus, Kettering Road, Northampton NN3 6NP, making cheques payable to ‘Cycle 4 Cynthia’.