WITH only two weeks to go until Prospect Hospice’s Big Bike Ride, fundraisers are urging anyone who would like to pedal for Prospect to sign up as soon as possible.

This is the second year Prospect has held the Big Bike Ride, following on from the success of last year’s event which saw more than 80 cyclists take part in two routes – a 15km route for beginners and families, or a 50km route for the more experienced cyclist – around the Marlborough Downs.

This year’s event, taking place on April 22, has been organised with Mountain Bike Swindon, who have devised the route and will be supplying marshals for the event.

Setting off from Nationwide Pavilion, the ride offers two challenging routes; a 24km route for any reasonably fit rider and a 40km route suitable for mountain bikes, with an optional 10km fast downhill section for those who really want to challenge themselves.

Tom Stickland, from Mountain Bike Swindon, said: “Both routes start and finish using our volunteer-built mountain bike trail at the Croft Woods, which was designed to be suitable for novice riders as well as giving experienced riders a decent challenge. The trail is a purpose-built single track and has some narrow and muddy sections with easier options around any tricky parts.

“The long route joins together some of our favourite sections of single track including two fast descents.

“The longer route is 50km over varied terrain so participants will need a bike with off-road capability, but it will hopefully provide a good challenge for people who are looking to take their cycling more seriously.

“We’re really looking forward to this year’s Big Bike Ride and we’re sure it will be a lot of fun for everyone involved.”

A map is available from prospect-hospice.net/bigbikemap.

Event organiser Becky Gammon said: “We’ve wanted to appeal to a broad range, both new and experienced cyclists, from families with children to members of cycling clubs and the more dedicated cyclist. We hope the two routes will do this.”

“There’s only two weeks to go until the event now, and I’m hoping that we can get lots more people joining us. The 24km route is perfect for beginners and families, so I’m hoping that if there are people out there who are thinking of getting back into cycling, they might like to sign up and pedal for Prospect.

“We are really grateful to MB Swindon for all their help in planning this.”

Events such as Prospect’s Big Bike are a vital part of the hospice’s fundraising, which needs £5m a year to deliver its services, 70 per cent of which it needs to raise itself.

If you’re interested in taking part, contact Becky Gammon on 01793 816161 or visit prospect-hospice.net/bigbike