Still the chance to sign up for bike ride

Online and postal registration closedWednesday, April 10but any last minute riders can still book in at the Orchards Shopping Centre at the pre-registration day on Saturday, April 20 from 11am until 3pm, the day before the ride on the Sunday, as well as on the day itself.

The Bike Ride’s Sharon Scott said: “Don’t forget, there’s a route for everyone and an achievement for all. Our aim of funding defibrillators for the whole area is proving a big draw, so we’re really hoping we can raise the £12,000 we need.”

UK discus champion Jade Nicholls will be firing the starting gun, with the whole event promising to be quite the party.

“The Broadway, as ever, will be closed and decked out in international bunting to welcome our French and German Twin town visitors who are bringing quite a fleet of riders,” adds Sharon. “The Orchards, First Central and Nuffield Health, our major sponsors. will be present to see the riders off, as will Town Mayor John Sabin. Then, to welcome the riders home, the Vivace Choir will be singing their hearts out and, of course, all the Broadway cafes and bars will open early and enter into the international theme.”

Aspire Imaging will also be the official photographers, with signs on the side of road warning cyclists to smile.

Sharon added: “All in all it is going to be a fantastic day and surely the sun must be shining by then.”

Jade Nicholls, the UK’s top discus thrower, pictured with GHHBR’s Rod Clarke and Mike Oliver