9th September 2013
If you are still wondering whether to sign up for this year’s Jennings Rivers Ride, don’t delay. It is a wonderful route and a great cause. The money raised will go to the Cumbria Community Foundation, which helps those in need across the county.
If that is still not enough you can consider the fact that you will be leading out some of the world’s top professional riders, including Sir Bradley Wiggins. In fact you will be just 24 hours ahead of them as you struggle over the toughest section of the ride, the gruelling one in four incline of Honister Pass.
The second stage of the Tour of Britain, the day after the Jennings Rivers Ride, will follow part of the same route, probably the most spectacular section. It’s a bit like completing a stage of the Tour de France the day before the pros tackle it. I am sure this will add to the appeal for many amateur riders this year, a chance to see how they can do compared to the greats of the sport.
Sir Bradley has already been confirmed as the leader of Team Sky and other big names expected to be there include Nairo Quintana, the Columbian mountain specialist who came second in the Tour de France, and Mark Cavendish, who is with the Omega Pharma team this year.
I am expecting to be at the finish line of the Cumbrian stage, in Kendal, reporting for ITV Border. We will have highlights and reaction on our Lookaround programme that evening at 6.
It should be a great day and, after the Jennings Rivers Ride, I will be able to say that I have at least some understanding of what the professionals have been through!