Hundreds of riders are set to take to their bikes on Friday for a three-day challenge throughout Kent. The Goatham’s Great Kent Cycle Ride will give keen cyclists and complete novices the chance to ride just one day or all three days. During the three-day sportive, cyclists will take in over 200 miles of the Garden of England in what is hoped to become an annual event and the highlight of most cyclists’ calendar.
The event, setup by The Kent Sports Trust Foundation, in support of Help for Heroes, is open to all. Avid cyclists and complete beginners will ride alongside one another, lending support, offering motivation, and creating a very unique atmosphere.
Riders will be cycling in aid of both the Kent Sports Trust Foundation and Help for Heroes. By participating in this event, the riders are not only helping to encourage the people of Kent to become more active and make sport more accessible, but they are also supporting British servicemen and women who have been wounded or injured in the line of duty.
Among the riders involved will be Kent Sports Trust Foundation ambassadors Dame Kelly Holmes DBE MBE and Geraint Jones MBE.
Dame Kelly said: “I am very much looking forward to Goatham’s Great Kent Cycle Ride. Having recently got into cycling myself, I have a new appreciation for Kent as it has some amazing routes and places to ride around.”
Geraint added: “I’m glad it’s not a race and it’ll be great that we’ll all have a shared experience of completing this epic challenge, whilst showing cycling is fun.”
Friday’s route through Tonbridge and Sevenoaks
After departing Hoo, the peloton will cross Rochester Bridge before heading to Hildenborough (via Aylesford and Royal Tunbridge Wells) for a well-earned lunch served up by Cafe 1809 on the parish lawn. After lunch, the group will head north to Westerham via Sevenoaks and then alight at the world-famous Brands Hatch race track where overnight accommodation will be provided.
For more information about the event, please visit The Kent Sports Trust Foundation website.
