Two cycling events in tandem attracted more than 400 riders and their families to Bracknell on Sunday 8 June for a choice of rides in the morning, and a cycle festival in the afternoon.
The annual Three Counties Cycle Ride has attracted thousands of cyclists from near and far since the first 3CCR in 1983, and has generated well over a million pounds for local charities. This year, the main beneficiary is the Thames Valley Air Ambulance team who receive £2812.
TVAA Events Officer, Aimee Lewis said “That’s a fantastic turnout and an incredible amount raised. A huge well done to everyone involved!”
While many participants donated directly to TVAA, other riders and 3CCR volunteers were supporting their own chosen charity. Among them was TVAA land-partner Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue. Riders were waved off from Garth Hill College by Borough Deputy Mayor and Bracknell Town Mayor.
The Drink Station volunteers from 1st Emmbrook Scouts and Garth Hill College PTFA each received donations to fund their projects, as did our Registration Team and Marshals who were supporting Electric Eels Swimming Club, Bracknell Trefoil Guild guides, the Little Princess Trust which funds Childhood Cancer Research in the UK, the RNLI, Macmillan Cancer Support, Pilgrim Hearts helping the homeless across Berkshire, and Easthampstead Rotary Club.
A spokesperson for the Three Counties Cycle Ride steering group celebrated “Total charitable donations from this year’s 3CCR exceeded £6000. A great result, thanks to all our supporters!”
Those supporters include Avanti Cycling who offered pre-ride Dr Bike checks, Berkshire Cycles who provided support vehicles and funded new 3CCR route signs produced by the PrintRoom Group who also supplied our promotional posters, flyers and rider certificates.
Tesco Bracknell North and Martins Heron supplied Mini Mars bars and apples, and Fraser’s Budgens at Three Mile Cross provided bottled water. Bia Cycling’s Ride Angels encouraged our riders along all three routes, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery offered marshals and funded the ride medals, Kim Shamtally offered a post-ride massage, and The Cricketers in Warfield provided a meeting room for planning our next 3CCR.
Chris W emailed after the ride to say: “Many thanks to all for running such a brilliant event once again. I first rode in 2019, and have enjoyed them all since then.”
Leader of Newbold Adventurer and Pathfinder Club, Rachel L messaged: “Everyone had a great time, and were very happy to cycle and participate in these events. Looking forward to the photos. I heard only good feedback. Really well done and thank you. They all want to come back next year.”
And Chris Reilly, owner of Berkshire Cycles wrote “Pleased once again to be able to support such a great event. Having my wife, son and a couple of friends do the ride this year was even more of a reason to help.”
And after the ride, cyclists visited the third Bracknell Cycle Festival in Bond Square next to the Lexicon. Organised by Avanti Cycling in co-operation with Trek Bracknell and Bracknell Forest Council, the Festival put on breathtaking BMX stunt displays performed by Fusion Extreme, young cyclists rode the pump track, and Thames Valley Police offered free bike security marking. Visitors wandered round the cycling and community stalls, and enjoyed a hot dog, a cup of tea, or a beer.
For photos and a video, visit https://3ccr.org/ and https://bracknellcyclefestival.co.uk/
