Shaftesbury Rotary Club are delighted to announce that their hugely popular charitable fundraiser, the North Dorset Cycle Ride, will be back again in May with some exciting additions.
This popular annual ride, taking in the towns and villages around the Blackmore Vale, is Shaftesbury Rotary’s biggest fundraising event of the year. The Rotary committee have set themselves their most ambitious fundraising target yet – hoping to raise £25,000.
As usual Prostate Cancer UK will be the main beneficial charity, and the remaining funds will be distributed to the benefit of local charities and good causes.
New innovations in the old routes
There are some exciting changes for the 2022 event – the old 12 mile Family Fun Ride has been adapted to be more inclusive for younger riders and their families. While still finishing on the iconic Gold Hill, the course itself is now much shorter and flatter than previous years and there will be entertainment along the way to keep the smaller riders engaged and happy.
The traditional start for all the routes is still from Castle Hill with its glorious views over the Vale. New for the 2022 event are staggered start times for groups; so you can set off together with friends in sociable waves.
As always, the ride’s pinnacle will be the iconic Gold Hill finish line that will involve cycling (or attempting to cycle!) up the famous ‘Hovis hill’.
A new 75 mile course has also been introduced for 2022 for the ambitious – the challenging and scenic course will really push the keenest of cyclists to their limits.
Perfect partners
Jim Highnam, Managing Director of ride sponsor BV Dairy, comments; “We’re proud to be involved. We have some keen cyclists at BV Dairy, including myself, that will be taking part, and many employees will be volunteering as marshals too”
Gillingham & Dorset Wheelers will be providing rider numbers that will make a great keepsake souvenir (no more soggy paper numbers!). They have also generously offered to put on a mechanical stand on Castle Hill to deal with any last minute punctures or bike repairs.
How to enter
There are four routes to choose from, all starting on Castle Hill and finishing on Gold Hill. The easiest is the family-friendly 6 mile route. Then there are the 25, 50 and the new 75 mile challenger route to choose from. Registration is now open online for a modest £25 per adult for the 25 mile and 50 mile ride, £30 per adult for the 75 mile ride and only £5 per rider for the Family Fun ride. Riders can sign up by going to the website –
