Organised as part of the celebrations for Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal’s 200th Anniversary, 200 cyclists are being encouraged to enter in teams of up to four for the Canal 200 Cycle Ride on Saturday 19 May a charity fun ride, which is supported by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Collobor8 programme.
Organisers from Green Dragon Events hope the event will encourage 200 cyclists, in groups of four, wheeling along the historic waterway and using their pedal power to raise funds for Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, a registered charity serving Mid and South Wales.
Riders participating in the Canal 200 Cycle Ride are able to pedal from Newport, Gilwern (both £25 sponsorship per person) or join the family ride from Talybont-on-Usk (£10 sponsorship per person) on a journey along the scenic waterway to Brecon’s Canal Basin.
The event incorporates a stop for a bun, beer and banana at The Coach & Horses in Llangynidr, as well as a BBQ provided by Cammarch Valley Butchers at Brecon Canal Basin when the ride is over. There will also be surprise spot prizes for cyclists, including two Macpac hydration back packs and one Macpac backpack courtesy of Green Dragon Activities, as well as a bicycle cleaning kit from Cycle-Tec, a Builth Wells Cycles Shop.
Event organiser Tony Bain, of Green Dragon Activities, said he felt it was important to support Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, whose annual running costs of more than £30,000 are funded through donations.
He said: “This is a fantastic event that the whole family can get involved in
which supports a really worthwhile cause. Brecon Mountain Rescue Team are a fantastic organisation on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in all weather, all year round. Although £25 could be considered a little too much in these times, we felt it is a small price to pay to such an unsung charity – especially when they have saved so many lives in this area. I think if one of your friends or family members was injured on a mountainside, £25 seems insignificant for someone to come and rescue you. I think if we all thought about it we’d pay a whole lot more for help in that situation.”
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team member Kevin Harding said: “All our members are volunteers and come from all walks of life. But when the call comes, no matter what the time and weather conditions, they never let us down.
“We also do a lot of our own fundraising, but with members already devoting so much time to call-outs and training they’re under more pressure than ever before. That’s why we really depend upon people who fundraise on our behalf. Events like the Canal 200 Cycle Ride fundraising for our cause are a great help to our unit. With 200 people entering the event Brecon Mountain Rescue Team will benefit in the region of £3,000. This means we can carry on helping people, something that we are well trained and take great pride in doing.”
Carol Williams, Tourism Growth Area Project Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, said: “The Cycle 200 ride is a great way to mark the 200th anniversary of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, one of the longest and most beautiful cycle routes in the region.
“Not only is this a great event, it’s also for a really good cause as it supports
the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team – a charity whose work is vital to this region. It would be great to see 200 riders showing their support for this worthwhile cause.”
Online entries for the Canal 200 Cycle Ride close on Wednesday, May 16, but contact Green Dragon Activities after this date if you still want to take part. For further details of the Canal 200 Cycle Ride or sponsor forms call 01591 610508 or visit www.greendragonactivities.co.uk.
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