Tour Of Britain Team Up With Prostate Cancer Charity

As if giving you guys news about Team Sky wasn't enough, here's some very intresting news about a partnership between The Tour of Britain organisers and a more than worthy cause, The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Following a successful entry into the world of sportives last year, Prostate Cancer Charity, in partnership with The Tour of Britain, is pleased to announce they will stage a further three events in 2010. Cyclists will have the unique opportunity to measure themselves against the pro riders, taking on one or more stages of The 2010 Tour of Britain, going the full distance of 150km, or taking on a challenging 70km. The Prostate Cancer Charity's Tour Rides, which will all take place in September, will offer amateur cyclists the chance to ride three full stages of Britain’s national cycle tour in 2010.

1) In a brand new event for 2010, cyclists will be able to tackle a tough route which traverses the scenic South West, travelling 150km from Minehead to the South Devon coast or covering part of the route over a distance of 70km, on Sunday 5 September.

2) Stoke-on-Trent, which saw 1,300 riders participate in the inaugural Tour Ride last year including British Road Race Champion Kristian House, will again play host to cyclists, offering a gruelling 145km route which starts and finishes in Stoke-on-Trent in the City’s centenary year, as well as a 70km challenge event, on Sunday 26 September.

3) There will also be an event on the London stage of the event, which will take cyclists on a route past some of the most iconic landmarks in the capital, on Saturday 18 September, prior to the final stage of The Tour of Britain. This will no doubt prove popular and all concerned are hoping it will be a success.

The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides are part of the Charity’s commitment to get people on their bikes to raise awareness of the disease, under its ‘Unite ByCycling’ initiative. In both the South West and Stoke-on-Trent, there will also be 20km family rides, as well as other cycling-related activities at the event sites, so that people of all ages and cycling abilities can take part. John Neate, The Prostate Cancer Charity's Chief Executive, said: "Last year’s events proved hugely successful and we received extremely positive feedback from participants about the organisation of the day and the fact that they could take on a leg of the actual Tour of Britain for the first time."

"Of course, everyone who takes part, as well as completing a personal challenge, will be helping the Charity to raise awareness of prostate cancer and helping us to raise funds to fight the disease, which kills one man every hour in the UK. We are delighted to be entering into the second year of our successful partnership with The Tour of Britain.Places are limited for the event, so we are urging cyclists to ensure they are at the start line by signing up early."

The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride, the first event of its kind in Great Britain, provided members of the public with a unique opportunity to get on their bikes and ride the official Stoke-on-Trent stage of The 2009 Tour of Britain race, all in support of a fantastic cause," said Hugh Roberts, CEO of The Tour of Britain. The inaugural event in Stoke-on-Trent proved to be a huge success and this year we are pleased to be extending the number of Tour Rides to include a new ride in the South West."

The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides cost £40 for the full stage distances, £30 for the 70km distances and £20 for a family of four to do the 20km Family Rides, in both Stoke-on-Trent and the South West. Entries close on 1 September 2010 but as places are limited and expected to fill up fast, riders are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

The Tour Rides have got full backing from all the Councils involved in staging them. Cllr David Huxtable, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: "Somerset County Council is thrilled that The Tour Ride will be coming to the region. It’s a great triumph for Somerset and Devon to be hosting both The Tour of Britain and The Tour Ride in 2010. "The fact that The Tour Ride offers cyclists of all abilities a chance to experience some, or even an entire South West stage of The Tour of Britain will hopefully encourage thousands of residents and tourists to take part in the mass participation event."

Cllor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "To be chosen to host one of this year's Tour Rides is a great reward for all of the hard work put in by Devon and Somerset County Councils with The Tour in recent years, and we're proud to again be hosting two stages with Somerset. The Ride is an exciting opportunity for people in the region, and from right across the country, to see what the professionals on The Tour will be put through on this stage. At a slightly more leisurely pace than the pro riders, they'll also get the chance to sample Devon and Somerset's breathtaking scenery, which can only be good news for our local economy."

Stoke-on-Trent City Cllor Derek Capey, cabinet member for sport and leisure, for Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "It is excellent news that The Tour Ride is coming back to Stoke-on-Trent after the success of the event last year. Almost 1500 people of all ages and abilities took part in the ride in September and I would think even more will come along this year.

"Stoke-on-Trent is a city that is committed to cycling and sport in general. This event provides people with the opportunity to take part in a superbly organised, mass participation ride, that has health, social, tourism and economic benefits. We very much look forward to the day."

Prostate cancer is of course the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Alarmingly One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK. The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning. For more information go www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/. The Tour of Britain's organisers should take great credit for teaming up with this great cause and hopefully many people turn up for the Tour Rides on the stages mentioned above and support the cause.