Thanks to all riders who joined us. How was it for you? Please let us know

Here is our draft press release:

ANOTHER GREAT LIONS BIKE RIDE

Another great bike ride organised by Knowle and Dorridge Lions saw nearly 640 cyclists set off from Packwood House last Sunday to wind their ways around the lanes of Warwickshire all in aid of charity.

Riders had a choice of 20, 30 or 100 kms with the dry and not too hot weather encouraging many to tackle the longer routes this year

“We were delighted to welcome so many riders again for the Heart of England Bike Ride on Sunday 14 July”, said organiser Lion Paul Wheatley. “Many riders helped by riding in to the start at Packwood House, avoiding major parking issues. We believe we have raised close to £11,000 thanks to the generosity of cyclists and sponsors alike. As well as thanking all the riders and helpers I now have to thank the generous sponsors who enabled the Lions to tell riders that all their entry fees will go to the charity partners – SoLO Life Opportunities, Sepsis Trust UK and locally determined causes”

If you missed out this year the Lions are already planning next July’s ride. Anyone who would like to help organise the day should contact Paul via info@knowleanddorridgelions.com now

Here is a selection of the ~3000 brilliant images of the day taken by our photographer Simon Bissett. Please take look, you will feature many times. Please consider buying yours and make his day worthwhile

WLCC riding to celebtrate colleagues 60th birthday

Join us for our 14th annual charity ride from Packwood National Trust House(map), just 3 miles from jct 4 of M42 – Sunday 14 July

Whether its the short ride for families, the more challenging leisure ride, both circular and fully sign-posted, or the new and extended 100 km velo through the Warwickshire countryside you are assured of a great day out. .gps links will be published here near the day. There is no mass start.

• All ages may enter the 12 mile / 20 km ride & 18 mile/ 30 km ride and set off  between 9:00 & 11:30
• Adult only entrants for the 60 mile /100 km ride must set off between 8:00 & 8:45
• All riders must return to Packwood House by 15:00, when they will be able to pick up their Certificate of Achievement, buy a burger from the Lions BBQ and enjoy a FREE visit to the House & Grounds
• Links to the maps of the routes will be sent to registered riders when online entries close on 7 July

Sorry if you have missed the online deadline for entries. You may still download an On the Day Registration form, to complete and bring with you on Sunday 14th

Please note we are restricted to 750 entries. Also parking is extremely limited and we only guarantee a ride to those who arrive at Packwood House with a completed form and on their bikes, having left their cars at home or parked at an alternative location. Dorridge is only 2 miles away.Also please download the Important Instructions for Riders which has been sent to all online entrants

Not just a bike ride but an opportunity to help raise funds for charity

• This years partner charities are:

• We shall be retaining 50% of all the proceeds for Lions locally determined causes
• If you wish to use our event to raise funds for your favorite cause please register and let us know
• If you wish to get your ride sponsored please download a
• Why not set up an online fundraising page. Please use our Virgin Money Giving page at any time just click on
  

  Launch photoshoot: (l-r) Maria Brown (SoLO, lion Paul Wheatley (organiser), Nick Fellows (Hollywood Monster – Sponsor), Lion Ian Gedge, Lion Trevor Jones, Sam Heskheth (Sepsis)

Please download a poster & display it at your work or club, or email it to friends, relatives, anyone who may like to join you on our rides

See what last years ride was like, visit our photographers gallery.

Be sure to like us and keep in touch via

How to prepare for your charity bike ride – have a read of this, it may remind you.

If you would like to help us make a great success of this year’s event please get in touch now

Why not get a team together?

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

We are delighted to welcome back our main sponsor

We are also indebted to our loyal group of sponsors who help cover the costs of organising this bike ride:

If you know of a company who may like to support our event please get in touch now

We are also indebted to the Solihull Observer and local magazines too many to mention for their promotion of our events

We are also delighted to be working with who are providing registration services for us again this year.

We are looking for new companies to come on board and help ensure all our costs are covered before anyone enters, such that every £ of entry fee and sponsorship raised will go to charity. Rather than passing on the costs of our new online registration provider we are looking for a corporate sponsor or more to cover the costs. Or perhaps you could sponsor the riders numbers, refreshments stops – with bananas, protein biscuits or similar. If you would like to help please get in touch now

Please note Knowle & Dorridge Lions are registered charity (no 509993) and our accounts are prepared, examined and lodged with the Charities Commission each year

We have confirmation from the National Trust at Packwood House that we may use their car parking and other facilities again on Sunday 14 July for our 14th Heart of England Bike Ride

Last year almost 500 riders raised over £9,000 for our partner charities and local causes. let’s see if we can do better this year

Please join us

Book the date in your 2019 diary and watch this website for further entry details

If you would like to join our organising team or are in a position to sponsor this charity sportive/leisure ride please get in touch today

With 335 riders registered in advance and another 172 on the day I think we can safely say the Heart of England Bike Riders took on and beat the 30c+ heat on Sunday.

“With entry fees and donations totaling approaching £9,000 we have done better than we possibly hoped for,” said organiser Lion Paul Wheatley. “Our new 50 mile sportive route from Packwood House through Warwickshire through villages as far apart as Coughton, Great Alne, Snitterfield, Hatton and Wroxall proved particularly popular. Now we wait to see how much sponsorship has been raised by our riders for Headway, Breast Cancer Haven & local causes.”

Over half of the riders opted for the shorter 18 & 12 mile rides on the day no doubt a reflection on the hot weather.  The Lions offered 4 refreshment stations providing water to the 3 routes, and riders were sensible bringing plenty of water with them and topping up on every opportunity and after the rides they were able to enjoy burgers from Lyons BBQ & free entry to the House and Gardens at Packwood, to round off a great day out.

There are a great selection of images of cyclists taken by Mike Adams, here are just a few, visit his website – see if you can find yourself and perhaps buy it for posterity:

Here are a selection of images taken on the day:

Please send your images and feedback to us

If you would like to help the Lions organise next year’s rides please volunteer now