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Specialist cycling events organiser Iconic Cycling Events has joined forces with a team of former British Lions rugby players to help raise funds for charity.
Ride of the Lions was set up in 2013 by a group of former rugby internationals to bring rugby and cycling together for a charitable cause and give participants the opportunity to ride with notable sportsmen. Events associated with Ride of the Lions this year include the NZ2017, from Wellington to Auckland and the Clock to the Rock, which takes place on a route from London to Gibraltar.
Iconic Cycling Events organises a highly regarded series of UK sportives including Bike Bath, Bike Chester and Bike Oxford.
Former England and British Lion player Peter Winterbottom said: “I’ve known Richard Best for many years; his team at Iconic Cycling Events have developed a number of excellent events in the UK.
“We have two great rides coming up later this year including a week-long ride during the forthcoming British and Irish Lions New Zealand tour between the second and third test; in September we will complete the Clock to the Rock, which is a two-week challenge ride from Big Ben to Gibraltar.
“We are looking forward to welcoming some of the Bike Bath, Chester and Oxford riders onto our overseas rides and in turn we aim to get involved in the UK rides as part of our training.”
Both organisations are committed to raising money for charities; the Lions’ events will be raising funds for Breast Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer UK, whilst the ICE events will be supporting its local hospices.
The ICE rides start on May 7th, with Bike Oxford followed by Bike Chester in June and Bike Bath in July. Each event offers a choice of 25, 50 and 80-mile routes.
Ride of the Lions’ events will involve some well-known former British Lions rugby players including Roger Uttley, Rodger Arneil, Rob Henderson, Craig Chalmers, Ben Clarke, Mike Teague and Dafydd James. The inaugural Ride of the Lions raised over £100,000 for charity.
Iconic Cycling Events associate Richard Best added: “We are delighted to be working with Peter and his team to promote these fantastic overseas rides. We know there is a growing interest in professionally organised international events, and I’m sure some of our riders and business supporters will be very tempted to support these rides.”
