Cycle Club gear up for Ulster trip

By Mark Stevens
7/10/16

Excitement is mounting ahead as the countdown to the second European Cycle Challenge draws nearer for members of the Exeter Chiefs Cycle Club.

Having pedalled their way over 400 miles from Sandy Park to Bordeaux back in January, riders are carrying our their final preparation ahead of making their latest journey from Devon over to Belfast ahead of the Chiefs tackling Ulster Rugby in Round Two of this season’s European Champions Cup.

The ride will commence on Monday, October 17 from Sandy Park and aims to be completed in Belfast on Friday, October 21.

This is the second cycle ride of it’s kind following the inaugural European Cycle Challenge to Bordeaux last season when 23 cyclists and support crew raised £22,500 for the Exeter Foundation, the official charity of the Exeter Chiefs.

However, you can help play your part in the fundraising for this year's event, by donating today at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/exetertoulstercycle

The first cycle ride to Bordeaux was a great success, as not only did it raise a significant sum for charity, but it also generated a lot of interest from sponsors and the press. The group appeared on both the BBC, ITV, BT Sport and Sky TV (who were televising the game) and were interviewed on both local radio and TV, as well as French Television when we arrived in Bordeaux.

The European Cycle Challenge, which is sponsored by SWComms and supported by 5D Group and Exeter Rugby Club, will add to the Exeter Foundation’s non-designated fund, which can be applied for by local projects that are occurring within Exeter and its surrounding areas.

To add to the fun of the event, plus to help bolster the fundraising coffers, you can enter into the draw to guess the distance the group will cycle using the Tilt webpage.

The brief for this is pretty simple, as explained by organiser David Cosford, who said: "Rather than once again ask for sponsorship, you participate in the event by guessing the total distance cycled. The winner will receive a pair of home match tickets and a signed rugby shirt. If there is a tie break in event of a draw, it will be total calories burned! It costs £5 to join the fun. You can enter multiple times. Add your guess of distance in kilometres (we are cycling to Europe!) in the comments. Example 799.9km. As a guide the distance by car is 787.1 kms, but we are of course travelling on smaller roads."

To guess the distance and help with the club's fundraising total, simply click here