TOUR DE KENT 2013

Tour the football grounds of Kent and help us raise funds for charity

Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or just fancy signing up for a fun charity challenge, don’t miss your chance to take part in Tour De Kent 2013.

Taking place over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 25 May – Monday 27 May, Tour De Kent is a cycling tour of the county’s football grounds which aims to raise funds for two heart related charities, Gillingham FC’s club charity Take Heart Mercy Mission and CRY, Cardiac Risk in the Young.

Gillingham players past and present will be taking part in the tour, along with celebrities from the world of cycling, and entrants have the option to participate in selected stages or take on the full 200 mile challenge

Options include:

-    The First Leg - 15 gentle miles along the quiet back lanes between Gillingham and Sittingbourne, on Saturday 25 May
-    The Full Day - 50 miles from Gillingham to Margate visiting six grounds along the North Kent coast including a lunch stop
-    The Lot! - 200 miles over the full three days, visiting 21 grounds across Kent starting and finishing at Gillingham. Optional overnight accommodation provided.

The ride has full back-up support including medical, mechanical and baggage transport and is supported by British Cycling. The Tour even has its own flapjack, produced by Kent firm Jackernuts, an official cycling jersey by Foska and has been supported by Medway Council as part of the 2013 Festival of Sport.

Ride organiser Roger Maddams said: “The event, as with many great ideas, started over a drink at a party with Gillingham FC Development Coach Mark Patterson. We both discovered we liked cycling, football and good times so the initial idea was for a few friends to ride round a few football grounds and raise a few pounds for charity.

“I thought about it, got the maps out, got to work and now we have a full blown event that will attract at least 300 riders including 110 on the three day stage option. The aim is to have a great time, build great camaraderie and a sense of achievement and to raise tens of thousands for the charities”.

Full details of the ride including registration & accommodation fees can be found at www.tourdekent13.co.uk. Ride numbers are strictly limited for the three day option so sign up today to avoid disappointment.