THERE were miles of smiles as hundreds of people took part in the annual 3 Counties Cycle Ride earlier this month.
The event offered three routes, starting and finishing from Garth Hill College in Bracknell.
Each group were started by Bracknell Forest Mayor Naheed Ejaz and Bracknell Town Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Baker before going on their 15-, 33-, or 54-mile routes through three counties – Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
Organised by Easthampstead Rotary Club, there were 400 people taking part.
They were supported, as usual, by Berkshire Bikes’ Chris Reilly as mobile mechanic, and the rescue vehicle driven by Jon Rodella with Easthampstead Rotarian James Strugnell riding shotgun. Also assisting were the Charlie’s Angels from the Bia Cycling Club.
They rode all three routes reporting back that there were no serious incidents.
Easthampstead Rotarian and long-term 3CCR Steering Group leader, Dave Donaldson, was pleased with how the event went.
“It’s a charity cycle ride which, over its 40-year history, has raised around a million pounds for local charities,” he said.
Derek New, who now heads up the 3CCR SG, added: “Thanks to TREK Bicycle Bracknell, who again sponsored this year’s event, more funds from the ride will go to our chosen charities.”
Also thanked were Garth Hill College for again hosting the 3CCR, Tesco Warfield for supplying Mars Bars, and Fraser’s Budgens at Three Mile Cross who provided bottled water. And the marshalls from local Rotary clubs, the 1st Emmbrook Scout Group, and local Girlguiding members.
This year’s beneficiaries are the WAYZ youth centre in Bracknell, the WADE day centre for the over-60s in Wokingham, and Easthampstead Rotary Club, itself a charity, whose men and women members live in Bracknell, Wokingham, and surrounding villages
They have fun together and generate more than £20,000 each year for their chosen local and international projects.
Next year’s event will be on Sunday, June 2.
But before then, the Bracknell Together Walk on Sunday, July 9, with a 5 km stroll around South Hill Park or the 7.5 or 10 km walks which go into Swinley Forest available.
For details, log on to: bracknelltogetherwalk.org
Photos from this year’s 3 Counties Cycle Ride are available now on the event website https://3ccr.org/photos/#2023-photos
Easthampstead Rotary Club says that new members are always welcome at its fortnightly meetings, which include guest speakers.
For more information, call Brian on 07720 321 526, visit www.easthampsteadrotary.org, or https://www.facebook.com/easthampsteadrotaryclub/
