On Sunday 14 October, the Ride for Rowcroft cycle challenge will be returning to the picturesque surroundings of South Devon, with a new “wheelie challenging” 32km, up-hill course, the ‘Haytor Hill Climb’.
For riders looking for a smoother Sunday ride, ‘The Classic’ route from previous years is still available. Covering tarmacked roads with country lanes and a surfaced cycle path, this is ideal for cyclists looking to complete their first challenge, beat a personal best or simply spend a morning cycling through the countryside with friends.
All riders, including young riders, are encouraged to collect sponsorship to help support the ongoing care Rowcroft Hospice provides for people living with life-limiting illnesses in South Devon. Now in its third annual year, Ride for Rowcroft is still proving to be one of the hospice’s most popular fundraising events.
The previous two events have helped raise more than £100,000 to help support the 2,000 people cared for by passionate and dedicated Rowcroft Hospice staff each year. In 2017, more than 450 participants took on the challenging 24km route, taking in breath-taking views through Chudleigh Knighton, Bovey Tracey and Teign Valley. On completion of the challenge, riders will be awarded with an exclusively designed medal and a well-deserved bacon bap at the finish line!
Rowcroft Events Manager, Stewart Molyneux said: “We have listened to feedback from previous participants, who wanted a more challenging route. Believe me, as someone who has cycled both courses, the new ‘Haytor Hill Climb’ certainly ticks that box! That being said, the 24km ‘Classic’ route still offers its own challenge, but is perfect for the more novice cyclist and takes in some truly stunning views. Every entry helps us to continue to the much-needed support offered to people and their families, so I would encourage everyone to sign up as early as possible and fundraise as much as they can. Every penny truly makes a difference!”
By signing up to the challenge, you are helping Rowcroft support people in the local community like Dean Elson’s family. “When my wife and I came back from a holiday, we were given the shattering news that Mum had been diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. When the cancer became aggressive, Rowcroft provided her with help at home and she went into Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit for two weeks of symptom control. The care she received from everyone at the hospice, and the fact nothing was too much trouble, really hit a cord with her. I remember her telling Dad she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, now or in the future. After returning home, Mums health took a turn for the worse and she went back to stay on Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit. It was there that she spent the last few weeks of her life under the care of the loving nurses who did everything they could to make her comfortable, and to be there for my Dad and the rest of the family. We couldn’t pick out individuals to praise as everyone did their bit to make Mum’s last days as good as they possible could.”
“Ride for Rowcroft is a fantastic event for all the family. Any event supporting our wonderful hospice means so much to the families who use the hospice, and become dependent on the wonderful services and amazing staff”.
To sign up today visit www.rideforrowcroft.org.uk , minimum sign up age is 12 years of age. Sign up before Monday 30 July to make to most of the launch price admission fees; Adults £16, Children (12-16 years old) £11 for ‘The Classic’ & Adults £21, Children £16 for the ‘Haytor Hill Climb’. We ask that all participants wear a helmet, feel confident riding on roads with traffic and have lights fitted on the front and rear of bikes.
