Haywards Heath gears up for its biggest cycling event

The annual event, being held this year on Sunday May 31, is now firmly fixed in the town’s calender with around 1,000 people of all ages and cycling abilities taking part.

There are four routes starting with one of about 13 miles for families and beginners rising to the event’s Wiggins’ Way 72-miler for more seasoned cyclists.

One of the founding organisers Ruth de Mierre said: “We wanted to really put Haywards Heath in the map a bit and do things for the community.

“We started off the first with 150 or so people and it’s just grown and grown.

“There are a lot of charity bike rides and they are lovely, but we wanted to do something for the community; we wanted everyone to join in and have fun. We always have music and bands that come and we also involved the twinning association.”

With the four routes of varying lengths, there is something for everyone.

Mike Oliver, who brings his cycling experience to the organising committee, said: “The 13 mile only goes as far as Horsted Keynes and back and the second of 22 to 23 miles and an extra lap.

“For the serious cyclists there’s the 48 mile one and the black route - 72 miles. The shortest route you could walk in a day. If people want to be involved, but don’t want to ride, they can be involved with marshalling or jobs at the start and the end of the event.”

All proceeds from the entry fees will this year go to The Princess Royal Hospital dementia ward and the Age UK Elderberry Club held in the town’s Redwood Centre in Perrymount Road.

Entry is £10 for every level apart from the Wiggins’ Way, which is £20. A family ticket is £25 and there are group discounts.

To sign up go to www.hhbikeride.co.uk or pick up a booking form at Haywards Heath Town Hall. For more information call Ruth on 01444 553399 or email her at [email protected].