WARWICKSHIRE’S High Sheriff will be embarking on a gruelling five-day cycling challenge across the county.
Min Willoughby de Broke will be completing over 200 miles the day before some of the world’s leading female cyclists – including Annemiek Van Vleuten, Tokyo Olympics’ gold and silver medallist – take their places in Warwickshire for the first individual time trial stage in Women’s Tour history on October 6.
Min’s quest aims to raise £10,000 for the High Sheriff’s Fund – established to hand-out grants to the many small voluntary and community organisations operating at a grassroots level in Warwickshire.
Residents are encouraged to support the High Sheriff’s challenge by turning out to see her ride through the towns and villages on her route and/or by donating to her fund-raising campaign.
The itinerary for the Big Bike Ride is as follows:
– Day one (Friday October 1) begins at 9am at Shipston High School in Shipston on Stour and end at Henley in Arden at around 3.30pm. Min will be passing through Shipston, Stratford, Bidford, Alcester, and Henley in Arden and covering a total distance of 50 miles.
– Day two begins at 9.30am at the Garden Shed in Wellesbourne and endes at the Acre Close Community Building in Whitnash.
Along the route, she will be visiting Wellesbourne, Warwick, Kenilworth, Leamington, and Whitnash and covering a total distance of 35 miles
– Day 3 begins at 9.45m, ending at 2.45pm at the Gilkes Garage Café in Kineton.
Along this circular route, Min will be taking in some of Warwickshire’s most picturesque scenery and villages, stopping at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, Chesterton Windmill and Compton Verney and covering 38 miles
– Day 4 begins in Southam at 9.10am and ends at Ryton Pools Country Park, just outside Rugby, at 3.15pm.
Her route will take her through Southam, Rugby, Bulkington and Brinklow and cover a total of 45 miles.
– Day 5 begins at 9am and ends at 3.45pm in Atherstone.
Her route will take her through Atherstone, Polesworth, Coleshill, Bedworth and Nuneaton covering 45 miles in total.
The final day of cycling has been purposely timed to coincide with the start of Stage 3 of the Women’s Tour which takes place on Wednesday October 6 in Atherstone and where Min will set proceedings in motion by waving the flag to start the event at just before midday.
Min said: “I knew that when I became High Sheriff that I wanted to do something big, something that would challenge myself while shining a light on all the amazing businesses and organisations that contribute to making Warwickshire the best it can be!
“I am under no illusion that cycling over 200 miles in October will be an easy feat, but it is worthwhile if it showcases the beauty of this County and the amazing character and kindness of its residents and raises essential money to help grassroot organisations across the county.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Izzi Seccombe added: “We are so fortunate that we live in Warwickshire, a county with a wide array of outstanding natural beauty and equally outstanding organisations, independent businesses and communities who all work tirelessly together to make this county the best it can be.
“We are equally lucky to have such a passionate (and no less tireless) High Sheriff, in Min, who has dedicated her tenure in the role to raising the profile of all the different elements that make our County such an incredible place to live, work, play and visit.
“I would like to wish Min all the very best for this ambitious cycling challenge and hope as many of our residents as possible come out to support her across the five days of cycling.”
Visit https://bit.ly/MinsBigBikeRide to donate to Min’s cause.
