A CHARITY bike ride that challenges participants with a gruelling off-road route is back for its 30th year.
The Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge will start at 10am on Saturday, May 11 from Rhiwlas Village Hall (SY10 7JH) having first started in 1994 when it was a fun ride for members to raise a money for local charities.
But then it grew and grew to become a fixture on the annual mountain bike calendar and the great event it is in 2024.
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Jonathan Jones, who organises the ride for Borderland Rotary Club said he hopes that the modern-day event would have made its founders pride.
He said: “In those early days we could never have imagined that hundreds of keen mountain bikers would ride off into the Berwyn Mountains and raise thousands and thousands of pounds for charity.
“It has meant that with the support of such sponsors as Tim Gray from Dairi-Pak and Mule Cycles, we have been able to give charities like Air Ambulance a regular annual donation as well as supporting lots of local good causes.
“I’m sure that the late Brian Gray, one of the founders of the event, must be looking down with great pride.”
The 22-mile challenge takes the riders over green lanes and farm tracks, over private land, up and down the beautiful foothills of the Berwyn Mountains and is available to riders of all competence.
Jonathan added: “However, it’s not for the faint-hearted as there is only about 300mtrs of tarmac and probably no more than that on level ground.
“It’s a challenge but also a wonderful social event for riders of all ages and competence to enjoy.
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“Why not put a team together, talk to your colleagues at work, talk to your boss, and if you are the boss, talk to the staff and get pedalling – it’s for a good cause, and it’ll be great fun.
“All you need is a bike, a helmet, and the heart of a lion.”
Go to www.borderland-mtb-challenge.org and sign up.
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