Bike ride to raise funds for charity

2:30pm Sunday 30th November 2008

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A SPONSORED bike ride across Salisbury Plain, including the deserted village of Imber, is being organised a few days after Christmas in aid of Leukaemia Research.

The event, which starts at 10am on December 28, is being organised by Darren Smith, from Steeple Ashton, and Shaun Kettlety, from Semington, who have recently set up an online cycle business called Cycle Around and want to start running regular biking events in the county.

The roughly 25-mile route will start from Erlestoke Barns near Little Cheverill and go through Erlestoke, Edington, the 'lost village' of Imber and Gore Cross before returning back to Erlestoke Barns.

The two hope the event will be very popular with people wanting to shed a few pounds after Christmas excesses.

Mr Kettlety, 42, said: “There is usually a really low period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve and this gives people the chance to work off the beer and booze and food and be fresh for New Year’s Eve.

“The route will mainly be on fairly flat, quiet byways so it will be suitable for people of any ability to take part.

“One of the main attractions will be that you will be able to cycle around Imber, which is very rarely open to the public.”

The event is open to anyone over 18 and entry includes a free prize draw with the chance to win a brand new Coyote mountain bike.

The two men set up their new business after years spent riding bikes and working with them.

Mr Kettlety used to work for Alex Moulton Cycles in Bradford on Avon for four years and Mr Smith has been an avid mountain biker for 15 years.

They supply all types of bikes including adults and children’s models from their online business which they set up a month ago.

They decided to organise the event in aid of Leukaemia Research after hearing about the devastating effects of the disease.

Mr Kettlety said: “I’ve got children and it can be a terrible disease, especially for children.

“But also, by chance, both of our dogs died from Leukaemia too.”

The bike ride will have markers along the route to show the way, marshalls from the Air Cadets and members of the St John Ambulance in attendance too.

Visit www.cyclearound.co.uk or email cyclearound@googlemail.com for more details on how to enter and to download a sponsorship form.