Still time to sign up for the Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride

Registrations continue to pour in and, with pre-registration in The Orchards Shopping Centre from 10.30am to 3.00 pm on Saturday 17th, the organisers are hoping to beat last year’s thousand-strong field which raised enough money to buy 16 defibrillators for the whole area.

MP Nicholas Soames will be the official starter for the race which begins at 8.45 am on May 18 in The Broadway.

Organiser Sharon Scott said: “The Broadway 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.

“The Orchards, First Central and Nuffield Health, our major sponsors, will join Nicholas Soames to see the riders off, as will Town Mayor Sandy Ellis before setting off on the Ride herself.”

There will be four different rides, from the 11 mile Sergison to the 73 mile Wiggins Way, with a free Mini Bike Ride for children in The Broadway once the main event finishes.

Sharon continued: “To welcome the riders home, we have music, stalls and games and, of course, a medal for each and every one.”

Official photographers Aspire Imaging will be taking pictures which will be available for purchase on the bike ride website shortly after the event.

“All we need now is perfect weather, as in all previous years, and we’ll have a brilliant day,” Sharon added.

“Many thanks, as ever, to our sponsors, 1st Central, the Orchards, Nuffield Hospital, Masters & Son and Stuart & Partners, as well as to the Town Council for their support.

“We’ll all be ready and waiting to welcome everyone on the Saturday and Sunday; just turn up and register if you haven’t already done so, but whatever you do, be part of the main social event of our Town.”