A community of cyclists is preparing to cycle around the Isle of Wight to help find a cure for brain tumours.
Back for a sixth year, scores of riders are gearing up to take part in the Isle of Wight Randonnée for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
Riders can choose to cycle 68 miles once around the island, or double their distance clockwise and anticlockwise along scenic coastal paths. Brand-new for this year is a 100 mile distance taking participants along tricky terrain and gravel paths.
The event which takes place on Saturday 1 July was set up by Fareham local, Simon Tier, 55, who created it after losing his best friend of 30 years to the disease in 2015.
Their challenge is inspired by the death of Southampton schoolgirl, Brooke Leavey, who died 11 months after she was diagnosed with a diffuse midline-glioma (DIPG.)
After exhausting treatment options in the UK, the family felt forced to raise more than £200,000 for private treatment. Despite monthly trips to New York and Germany where the clinical trials were taking place, Brooke’s cancer was too aggressive and she died, aged just 10.
The riders, whose ages range from mid-thirties to 65, have been training for the last year, racking up 45 miles each week in preparation for Isle of Wight’s hilly landscape.
They’ve raised £2,600 for the charity and hope to reach £3,000, which can contribute to a day of research at one of the charity’s Centres of Excellence.
Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said:
“We’re incredibly thankful to Simon Tier for continuing to work so closely with us in putting on such a spectacular event.
"The best thing is that with a choice of three distances, it’s open to all levels whether you’ve been cycling for years or a more recent rider and there’s still time to join us!
“It’s always a wonderful community event and this year will be no different. We wish Simon Warren and his team well in their training and look forward to cheering them on at the event.”
You sign up in the Isle of Wight Randonnée online.
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