JE James joins DT hospice bike ride

JE James Cycles Chesterfield. Back row: Dean Poole, Mick Barr, Shirley Bailes, and Front row: Ben Laver, Steve Hibberson and Andy Keeton.

The third annual DT Flagg Cycle Challenge hopes to attract up to 200 riders and raise thousands of pounds for the Chesterfield-based hospice.

This year JE James Cycles, of Brimington Road North, Chesterfield, is generously sponsoring the event, providing a bike as a raffle prize and keeping riders refreshed. Dean Poole, of JE James Cycles, said: “Getting on board for such a worthy event was a no-brainer and we’re looking forward to helping to get people on their bikes for charity.”

The 2014 event which sets off from the hospice from 9am on Sunday, July 27, takes in lovely views, testing climbs and superb landmarks including Chatsworth House. Sponsored riders can take on a 25 mile leisure ride or pit themselves against the much more challenging 55-miler.

Both events set off from the hospice with the longer route going to Baslow and Ashford-in-the-Water, taking on a steep climb at Sheldon and rolling out over Flagg, Birchover, Stanton-in-the-Peak and Chatsworth.

Flagg Challenge heroes have included schoolboy Oliver Snodden who raised about £1,500 in pledges during the event’s first outing when he was only 11 years-old.

DT editor Graeme Huston said: “It is with great pleasure that the DT is joining forces with JE James Cycles to throw our weight behind such a worthy cause with this fantastic cycling challenge.”

Entrants receive sponsor forms and a map. Entry costs £20 and those interested can register via [email protected], or can contact Emily Evans on (01246) 568801, or DT’s Jon Cooper at [email protected] and on (01246) 504524. Volunteer marshals are also urged to call Emily and Jon.