Get fit for summer whilst raising money for local children's charities

If you’re looking for a way to get fit for the summer whilst raising money for local children’s charities, the legendary Over the Edge Charity Bike Ride is right up your street.

Thanks to Rochdale Round Table, Rochdale’s ultimate cycling challenge will return on 22 May, over 20 years since the first event commenced, cementing a popular fundraising event.

Hundreds of cyclists of all ages and experience are expected to join in on the day to raise much-needed funds for two local children’s charities, Jolly Josh and the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home.

Both charities are well-utilised and well-loved, having changed the lives of so many local children, all made possible thanks to fundraisers like Over the Edge.

Jolly Josh aims to relieve the needs of those with additional needs, complex needs, disabilities and those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, their families and carers within Rochdale and the wider area, whilst the Moorland Home provides services and facilities for school children during term time, and for children referred to them by children’s social care, schools and community groups, during school holiday periods.

 

 

The same three fantastic routes – bronze, silver and gold – all start from the Littleborough RUFC at Hollingworth Lake (with free parking on the day for all participants and spectators!) before continuing up Blackstone Edge and through some of West Yorkshire and Lancashire’s most idyllic areas.

The bronze route is 22 miles and ideal for those looking for a first challenge – up Blackstone Edge, down Cragg Vale to Mytholmroyd, then on to Todmorden via Hebden Bridge before returning to Littleborough.

The silver route is 29 miles and is suitable for most cyclists– up Blackstone Edge, past Baitings Dam towards Ripponden before turning off to Sowerby Bridge, then to Mytholmroyd, then on to Todmorden via Hebden Bridge before returning to Littleborough.

 

 

The rewarding gold route is 55 miles and is perfect for experienced cyclists and those looking for a true challenge – up Blackstone Edge, past Baitings Dam towards Ripponden before turning off to Sowerby Bridge, then to Mytholmroyd, and then a big loop from Heptonstall, via Mereclough and Holmes Chapel to Todmorden, back via Hebden Bridge to Mytholmroyd and then a punishing climb up the long gradient through Cragg Vale before dropping back down Blackstone Edge to Littleborough.

A representative from Rochdale Round Table said: “We would like to thank all the local businesses who have kindly sponsored the event, those who will be generously donating en-route refreshments for all riders and, of course, the cyclists themselves.

“We are proud to be raising money for Jolly Josh and the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home. We hope this fantastic event will raise plenty of money along the way.”

With just under one month to the day, now is the perfect time to sign up online and help change so many children’s lives: www.rochdaleovertheedge.co.uk