Nightrider's charity rides are coming to Bristol and Liverpool, joining London in a nighttime sightseeing event lineup for 2016. Ride bikes, have fun and raise money for a good cause.
If you're unfamiliar with Nightrider's events, they lead riders on a signposted route – after dark, as the name suggests – around a city. Organisers provide full support, mechanical assistance, hi-vis vests, break stops every 20km, finishers' medals and breakfast.
The Bristol Nightrider will take place overnight from Saturday 25 June to Sunday 26 June, starting in the north of the city at Horfield leisure centre. The 100km circular route is yet to be finalised, but other Nightrider events take participants past the iconic landmarks of the host city, so we'd expect the same in Bristol with the old city docks, Corn Exchange and of course the Clifton Suspension Bridge already mentioned. The route won't be on closed roads, so although organisers will choose quieter roads where possible – obviously easier during the night – there will be busier sections of road included.
In Liverpool, riders can take in a 'magical mystery tour' consisting of two 50km loops. The first takes riders through the Mersey Tunnel (which will be closed to other traffic) and out to the Wirral peninsula; the second is a tour of Liverpudlian landmarks included the Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, Albert Dock and Crosby Beach. This event starts and finishes at the Mersey Ferry Terminal and, as with other Nightrider events, the way will be clearly signposted.
Organised charity cycle events are on the rise, with newer events like Nightrider and the RideLondon 100 joining longstanding classics such as the BHF (British Heart Foundation) London to Brighton bike ride. Often fully supported and waymarked, and sometimes with closed roads, they offer excellent opportunities to raise money for a good cause – and also frequently serve as catalysts for getting more people into cycling.
Nightrider events are much more about enjoying the experience, taking in the sights and raising money for a good cause rather than riding full pelt, and as such won't be timed. There are no rewards for the first finishers, other than the warm glow of goodwill.
The three events will take place across the UK during summer 2016. All are expected to sell out.
- London - 4/5 June 2016
- Bristol - 25/26 June 2016
- Liverpool - 16/17 June 2016
If you're tempted to take part, there are two entry methods. Option 1 is £99, which covers your event entry, then as much sponsorship money as you can raise for any charity of your choice. Option 2 is £39 which covers your registration fee, then a minimum £175 of sponsorship money for one of the charity partners.
For the Bristol Nightrider event those partners include the Alzheimer's Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the MS Society, the National Autistic Society, Parkinson's UK and Sustrans. In Liverpool, they are the Alder Hey Children's Charity, Alzheimer's Society, the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the MS Society, the National Autistic Society, Parkinson's UK and Sustrans.
For those new to charity fundraising, Nightrider has a helpful guide – and if you are looking for fundraising ideas, or someone to ride with, the BikeRadar forum is the place to go.
Have you done a Nightrider event before? Or any other charity cycling events? Tell us what it was like in the comments below.
