Stokesley Charity Cycle Ride returns with fundraising target

The annual Stokesley 30-mile Charity Bike Ride is back and on target to smash the £150k barrier in funds raised for local charities at their event in May.

The Stokesley Charity Cycle Ride has taken place since 1998 and is a 30-mile leisurely ride through the North Yorkshire countryside and is suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

It was originally set up by founder and organiser Paul Mackintosh as a one-off event to raise money to help Chloe Brown, a young girl from Guisborough who had a very rare form of cancer.

Now, 24 years later, Chloe is a happy and healthy young woman, and along with her brother Dan and the rest of her family, they continue to support the Stokesley Bike Ride event which is now close to raising more than £150,000 for local charities and causes.

This year the ride takes place on Sunday 15 May at 10am, starting at Stokesley Town Hall, and will be supporting the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who need to raise £6.7m this year to remain operational.

The 30-mile route follows the River Leven, past Ingleby Greenhow, and then up the steep incline to Clay Bank.

The first rider check in point is the car park at the top of Clay Bank. Riders can enjoy a well-earned refreshment and admire the stunning view overlooking Stokesley and Great Ayton, with the iconic peak of Roseberry Topping standing out on the skyline.

The ride continues through to Great Broughton, Kirby, Carlton, before stopping at the Tomahawk Steakhouse Potto for the second rider check in point and refreshment stop.

From here, riders continue to the final stage of the ride and reach the finish line at Stokesley Town Hall.

Entry costs £10 per rider, and the fees will go directly to GNAAS to ensure their team can continue to help those who are critically ill or injured across the region.

Riders can also choose to raise money through sponsorship.

Paul said: “The event is not a race, it’s a fun day out, with riders of all abilities taking part and at the end each rider is presented with a certificate. It’s a fabulous and friendly event and one we hope others will join us.”

You can sign up for the event here: https://gna.as/stokesleyride or if you have any queries about the bike ride, you can contact Mr Mackintosh on 07801143942.