THERE IS still time to enter this year’s Active Sunderland BIG Bike Ride on Sunday 12 June. The hugely popular annual event will see hundreds of cyclists pedalling their way to being more active on attractive routes across the city.
All of the rides will start on the Riverside at St. Peter’s near Sunderland University. The event covers a variety of distances to make sure that everyone, from children and families right up to experienced cyclists, can join in the fun.
Councillor John Kelly, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture said: “Cycling is an incredibly popular activity and it’s always great to see so many people, of all ages and abilities, getting active and have fun with friends and family”
“There is a fantastic network of cycling routes through our city and the BIG Bike Ride is a great opportunity to explore them and discover places in Sunderland you may not have seen before.”
“We want to see as many people as possible taking part so I would encourage anyone to enter now and register for one of the three rides on offer”
Riders participating in the 20 and 35 mile rides will cycle along Sunderland’s expansive cycle path network visiting many areas across the city. The shorter 5 mile family ride will use the excellent cycle paths from the riverside to Roker and Seaburn. The longest route (35 miles) starts in Roker and visits parts of Washington, Houghton, Hetton, Ryhope and Silksworth before returning to the finish via the city centre.
The Active Sunderland BIG Events programme is designed to deliver as many opportunities as possible for residents to take part in a range of sporting activities. There are many new features to look forward to at this year’s BIG Bike Ride including free family fun activities, including sports taster sessions, beginning at 10.30am.
• Doctor Bike
• Mini golf
• Touch rugby
• Smoothie bike
• Football kick about
• Traditional family games
• Fencing north east
• Yogapupz
• Jittabugs
Entry is online only, prices are Family Ride £10, 20 Mile Ride £11 and 35 mile ride £12 (all prices per person). This year the entry fee includes the new Active Sunderland BIG Events technical t-shirt, medal and a goody bag!
Online applications close on Friday 3 June and registration on the day takes place from 8am. The longer rides start at 9.30am with the Family Bike Ride starting at 10.30am.
For online entry visit www.activesunderland.org.uk or, for further information email active@sunderland.gov.uk or telephone 0191 5614687.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY, MORE ACTIVE SUNDERLAND BIG EVENTS AND FESTIVALS TO COME!
• 27 July: Area Festival – Princess Anne Park
• 30 July: City Centre Festival – various locations in city centre
• 3 Aug: Area Festival – Barnes Park
• 10 Aug: Area Festival – Seaburn / Roker
• 17 Aug: Area Festival – Mowbray Park
• 24 Aug: – Area Festival – Hetton Lyons Country Park
• 25 Sept: – BIG Walk
Please check the Active Sunderland Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to keep up to date with the activity programme. Activities are subject to change.