Bromswold Bike Fest raises charity cash for EACH and Magpas

They descended on Leighton Bromswold for the annual Bromswold Bike Fest, which boosted funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices) and Magpas Air Ambulance.

Carol Greed, festival organiser, said: "We were so pleased with the number of people that supported the event this year, which meant we raised a record amount and cycled a distance almost equivalent from Huntingdon to Sydney, Australia.

"Thank you to all families, recreational and local club cyclists who came along, particularly a strong contingent from St Ives Cycling Club and the Sassy Lassies. 

"Our aim is to encourage cyclists to discover and enjoy the quiet lanes and attractive countryside on their doorstep whilst raising much-needed funds for local causes.

"There were several under 16s cycling 25 and 50 mile routes and one completing his first 100 mile ride, proving that this style of event is ideal for budding cyclists to achieve a new goal."

This was the ninth Bromswold Bike Fest and the event has raised over £55,000 since its 2014 debut.

This year there were seven marked routes, ranging from six miles up to 100, and there was more than just cycling as riders returned to a carnival atmosphere in Leighton Bromswold with live music from the HuMS (Huntingdon Music School) Big Band. 

There was also tea and cake, barbecue food, real ale and Pimms, fete stalls run by local community organisations and a flypast by a Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team.

The event was supported by Peter Lane & Partners Estate Agents, Tesco and Pedal Barn cycle shop in Thrapston.

"Peter Lane & Partners & Tesco have continued to support this event over the years for which we are very grateful," added Peter Mallace, Bromswold BikeFest organiser.

Bromswold Bike Fest 2024 will be held on Saturday June 8.

Email bromswoldbikefest@gmail.com or visit www.bromswoldbikefest.uk