International children’s charity Right to Play is once again organising what it claims to be “2011’s most exciting multi-day fundraising ride”, but challenging amateur riders to “Ride to the Tour”. The charity has teamed up with Specialized, who will provide mechanical support, for the five-day event between Twickenham, in west London, to the start of the Tour de France in the Vendée, on France’s west coast.
As well as mechanical support, Specialized will be offering free products and in-store discounts to riders who hit their fundraising targets.
Right to Play ambassador Mark Cavendish of HTC-Highroad is supporting the ride, and encourages riders to sign up on the ride. “It’s the closest you can get to the Tour de France without competing with myself and team HTC-Highroad for the green jersey,” he said. “See you at the finish line in France!”
The ride will start from the Stoop, the ground of Premiership rugby team Harlequins, and head to Portsmouth on the south coast for an overnight ferry to Caen. It will then continue across France to Les Herbiers in time for the finish of the first stage of the Tour de France on the Mont des Alouettes.
Andy Gomersall, the former Harlequins and England rugby player who is also a Right to Play ambassador, will also be one of the 200-strong peloton.
Event timetable:
June 29th – The Stoop, Twickenham to Portsmouth (overnight ferry to Caen)
June 30th – Caen, France to Rennes
July 1st – Rennes to Nantes
July 2nd – Nantes to Les Herbiers, stage finish location for stage one of the Tour de France
July 3rd – Return to UK
For more details on the event, and to sign up, visit www.righttoplay.org.uk/cycle or contact Leo Matlock at Right to Play UK on 0207 812 0636.
About Right to Play:
Right to Play is an international charity committed to the right of all children to play. “We give children a chance to become constructive participants in society, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, social background or religion,” reads the charity’s website. “Through games and sports, we help create social change in communities affected by war, poverty and disease.”
Right to Play is the officially endorsed charity of HTC-Highroad.