CYCLISTS are preparing to defend their title at this year’s Great Shakespeare Ride.
Shipston Cycling Club (SCC) will be flying its red and white colours across the Cotswold Hills on Sunday July 28 when members take on the 100km event.
The Shakespeare Hospice fund-raiser starts at Walton Hall Hotel and Spa near Warwick and rolls out through South Warwickshire villages into the heart of the North Cotswolds. Competitors can choose between three different distances – 100 miles, 100km or 50km.
SCC has held the winning title for the 100km distance since 2015 and plans to double its efforts this time with two teams of four, one all male and one mixed team. The result is based on the time of the fourth rider home.
Chairman Andy Smith said: “Shipston Cycling Club is happy to support The Great Shakespeare Ride which is superbly organised, friendly and for a great cause.
“The average age of our men’s team has always been close to or over 50, but this year we have 18-year-old Robin Hughes joining our men’s quartet and he will actually bring the average age down to 39!
“I normally take part in the Sportive 100 mile, but this year I’ll be supporting a mixed team in the 100km ride, which is a first for our club.
“We are particularly looking forward to the feed stations and the sports massages at the end!”
The club meets on Sunday mornings at Shipston Leisure Centre and is looking for new members to join them.
Visit www.shipstoncycling.com for more details and www.thegreatshakespeareride.org.uk to book a place on the race from £35. Entries close Wednesday July 24.
