Yorkshire Cancer Research launches "Dales Rider" cycling event
The "Dales Rider" - a challenging cycling event - will showcase the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales while providing a fantastic opportunity for supporters to get fit and raise money for the charity’s world-class research.
Starting in Ilkley and taking place on Sunday, 1st September 2013, the latest edition to Yorkshire’s growing cycling calendar takes in some of the most stunning landmarks within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Participants can take on "The Challenger", a 26 mile circular route through the dales to the picturesque market town of Pateley Bridge, before returning to Ilkley Cricket Club along the River Wharfe and past the ruined 12th-century Bolton Priory.
Those looking for an even tougher challenge can sign up for "The Gear Grinder", a 65-mile route which weaves through hills and valleys to the historic market town of Masham and back, passing by Leighton and Gouthwaite reservoirs, the dramatic moorland rock formations of Brimham Rocks and the riverside beauty spot of Bolton Abbey.
JD Cycles and Outdoor is providing financial support and on-the-day assistance as the official partner of the event. Participants will receive a discount in store along with automatic entry to competitions.
Adam Evans, director of the Ilkley bike store, said: “JD Cycles and Outdoor are enormously pleased and very proud to be supporting The Dales Rider and partnering Yorkshire Cancer Research. It is our intention to be the sole official partner to the event for many years to come, helping to grow and promote the event, with the determination to increase awareness and support of the charity not just locally, but regionally.
“Almost all of us have been affected by cancer in one way or another and this is a fantastic opportunity to raise some money to help research and awareness. Cycling is not just for fitness or transport, but a fun and social occasion - like exercise, but enjoyable !”
"The Dales Rider" has also been backed by professional cyclist Scott Thwaites, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, who is currently making his mark on the international cycling scene for Team NetApp-Endura.
The 23-year-old, who won the National U23 Road Race Championships and rode the World Championships in Denmark for Great Britain, said: “As a local professional cyclist it is fantastic to see the recent increase in popularity for cycling particularly in the Yorkshire region. The Dales Rider is a fantastic event that is supporting a very worthy cause and will be an exciting day out for all who participate.”
The money raised through sponsorship will go towards funding cancer research in Leeds, Bradford, Hull, York and Sheffield. Over the past five years Yorkshire Cancer Research has spent £30m at universities and teaching hospitals throughout the region. By funding research in Yorkshire, the charity ensures that local people have access to ground-breaking treatments and clinical trials, whilst contributing to the global fight against the disease.
Professor Phil Quirke, a pathologist at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, part of the University of Leeds, recently pioneered a bowel cancer training course for Yorkshire’s surgeons which could save 3,000 lives every year in the UK.
He said: “Events such as The Dales Rider allow Yorkshire Cancer Research to raise money to help cancer researchers save lives and reduce the pain and suffering of cancer patients. Their support of our research has markedly changed how we treat the second commonest cause of cancer death. More bowel cancer patients survive today than ever before thanks to their support. With more research in the future we will be able to go even further in helping tomorrow’s cancer patients.”
Dr. Mark Sutherland, Post-doctoral Research Assistant at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, added: “With the tough current economic situation less people are donating to charities. This combined with government cut-backs to universities means less money is available for cancer research. The money raised through The Dales Rider will allow us to continue our vital, internationally-recognised research.”
The entry fee for The Dales Rider is £20 and includes an event T-shirt, fundraising pack, training guide, en-route refreshments and finisher’s certificate.
To enter, visit http://www.ycr.org.uk/thedalesrider or call UK 01423 877210
[N.B. Please mention the Eagle Intermedia Yorkshire Dales website when making your enquiries.]
[News item based on press release supplied by Yorkshire Cancer Research, posted May 2013.]
The Yorkshire Dales is designed and maintained by Eagle Intermedia Publishing Ltd.
