Get involved in Bike Oxford

Over 1,000 riders are expected to take part in Oxford’s very own cycling sportive, Bike Oxford, on Sunday 13 September, and there is still time to sign up and get involved.

Championed by The Manor Hospital, Nuffield Health and supported by Cowley Road Condors Cycling Club, it is one of the largest city sportives in the region, consisting of 20, 50 and 80 mile marked rides which all head through the city before heading north and into the surrounding Cotswolds countryside.

Starting and finishing at The Cherwell School, the three different rides cater for cyclists of all ages and abilities. With the school’s excellent cycling heritage – it has the greatest percentage of students regularly cycling to school of any in the UK - their enthusiasm matches that of the organisers who are passionate about everything on two wheels.

The event has a relaxed atmosphere and is female friendly with a larger number of females taking part than in many other sportives across the UK. The organisers are particularly keen to encourage female participation and believe cycling is an inclusive sport that should be enjoyed by everyone. The Cowley Road Condors are holding female only summer sessions to help train for the event for anybody who is interested in taking part.

Mechanical and medical support will be provided on the day and riders are also provided with timing chips. Photographs are taken around the route to add to the overall experience of being involved in the event.

After enjoying their ride, which includes well-stocked feed stations containing local produce, all riders will return to the event village where they will be presented with a finisher’s medal and after-ride food. The event marquee will also have a pay bar service provided by a local brewer and Beeline bicycles will be on hand to help with any mechanical issues both before and after the ride.

Organised by Iconic Cycling Events, the team behind a number of successful cycling events around the UK, including Bath, Harrogate and the Cotswolds, Bike Oxford is supported by Oxfordshire County Council, who are keen to encourage more active lifestyles:

“Regular cycling can help you lose weight, reduce stress and improve your fitness which are all positive ways of developing better wellbeing overall,” said Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles.

“The Bike Oxford event is a brilliant way of getting some cycling experience in a friendly, fun and supportive environment and we hope it will encourage more people to consider cycling more often as part of their daily routine.”

Local businesses Carter Jonas, London and Capital and Withy King are also supporting the event and encouraging their employees to ride for a range of charities.

If you would like to enter, registration is online and details can be found on the Bike Oxford website www.bikeoxford.co.uk. There are also sponsorship opportunities still available for any organisations interested in getting involved.