Action Medical Research presents 2012 challenge rides at London Bike Show. An exciting new programme of challenge rides will be showcased by Action Medical Research at this week’s London Bike Show (12-15 January) at ExCel. The children’s charity is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2012 and recently formed a new partnership with leading bike brand Trek to support its popular RIDE100 and DIVA100 events. The 2012 schedule features 25 rides, including three new ones exclusively for women.

Heading up the new Action Medical Research programme is the charity’s flagship London to Paris tour (18 - 22 July 2012), including a new women-only route for 2012. There are also three alternative routes, open to all, including a three-day, faster option for the most dedicated riders. The popular 300-mile ride sees 600 cyclists arrive in Paris in time for the final stage of the Tour de France, riding in convoy down the Champs Elysees the day before the professional cyclists head into the city.

Also new for women’s cycling is an extended DIVA100 series, spurred on by the success of the first DIVA100 ride led by TV’s Davina McCall in 2011. There will be new events in Scotland and The Midlands in addition to the original ride in Sussex, all taking place in May and offering 100km or 50km route options.


New overseas tour Ride L’Etape (6 - 9 September 2012) will provide the toughest challenge on the schedule, replicating stage 19 from last year’s Tour de France. The 116km ride through the French Alps tackles three of the Tour’s most notorious climbs – Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez. It promises stunning views, twisting hairpin bends and gruelling gradients, all timed to add to the Tour experience.

Also new is Morocco Bike or Hike (5 - 9 July 2012), offering a mountain biking challenge in the Atlas Mountains or, for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, a trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal, the region’s highest peak, overlooking the Sahara Desert.
Challenges closer to home include the UK End 2 End, from Lands End to John O’ Groats in nine days, and the RIDE24 endurance relay, which sees teams race day and night for 24 hours at the classic Goodwood Motor Circuit.


The charity’s RIDE100 series also continues to offer a range of one-day regional UK rides in stunning cycling locations, including the Lake District, Peak District and Scotland’s Trossachs mountains. These graded events are all chip timed and offer both a 100-mile and 100km route option.

Team GB Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas MBE, Cycling Ambassador for the charity, says: “2012 is a huge year for me, as I get ready to compete in the home Olympics, and it’s also a really special year for Action Medical Research as the charity celebrates its 60th anniversary. I was four years old when I first learnt to ride a bike but sadly some children never get that chance. So I hope everyone will support me when I go for gold but I also hope people will support Action Medical Research by taking on one of its fantastic cycling challenges this year to help fund more life-changing research for some of the UK’s sickest babies and children.”

Money raised by the charity through its cycling programme helps fund vital medical research into conditions affecting babies and children. Research currently being supported by Action Medical Research includes work around meningitis, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and premature birth, as well as some very rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

Bike rides & Cycling events added daily now.We are now adding Sportives, Mountain bike events, and Charity fun bike rides daily now to our busy 2012 events listings. family bike rides, to the more serious rider, cycling bike events for the whole family
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The HOTA sells out fast again for 2012

Wiggle and UK Cycling Events Announce the Launch of the 2012 Wiggle Super Series

After a hugely successful 2nd year, the 2012 Wiggle Super Series has now gone on sale. Exciting new additions mean that it’s looking bigger and better than ever.

A total of 22 events are due to take place. The calendar offers both road sportives and MTB events, which are sure to appeal to riders of all ages and abilities.
In response to the huge demand for 2011’s Wiggle Wight Ferry Sportive, ticket availability for this event has been increased for the 2012.

This unique sportive which will start in the New Forest National Park then involve a ferry trip over to the Isle of Wight, where riders will enjoy a clockwise route around the island. The final stretch will see cyclists jumping back onboard the ferry for the picturesque ride back through the New Forest. Tickets were completely gone 4 months before this year’s event, so 2012 tickets are likely to sell-out fast.