THE ROUTES for this year's Great Notts Bike Ride can now be revealed.
More than 4,000 participants are expected to take part in the annual event on Sunday, which is being staged for the 32nd time this year.
There are three routes of different lengths – 100 miles, 50 miles and 25 miles – that run through different parts of the city and county.
Feed stations are located at points throughout the course, which provide riders with a much-needed energy boost and chance to enjoy the surroundings.
The 100 mile route
The 50 mile route
The 25 mile routeThe shortest route has been extended from 19 to 25 miles, and takes riders from Victoria Embankment through Ruddington and across to Cotgrave before looping round to the route's new addition Cropwell Bishop – known for its six Stilton creameries – before returning by the riverside through Radcliffe-on-Trent, Holme Pierrepont, home of the National Watersports Centre, and West Bridgford.
Riders on the 50-mile route will start at the same point, but leave Cropwell Bishop eastwards towards Orston and Kilvington on Spa Lane.
They rejoin the 25-mile route at Radcliffe-on-Trent after circling Bingham with a route through Hawksworth and East Bridgford.
Cyclists taking on the 100-mile route leave the 50-mile course at East Bridgford, heading north towards Thurgarton, through scenic villages with two additional feed stations.
At Caunton, riders can join the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire to the grounds of his private home at Caunton Manor for afternoon tea or stop at Wellow, a village that is home to a 12th century church.
The 100-mile route continues through Eakring Brail and Redgate Woods, passing Southwell and back through Thurgarton before meeting the 50-mile course at East Bridgford.
Further feed stations are located at Plumtree, Langar – where they can see the Cathedral of the Vale – Car Colston, and Radcliffe-on-Trent.
Phil Giles, 41, from Stapleford, is cycling the 100-mile ride. He's raising money for CLIC Sargent, a charity that supports families of young cancer suffers.
Phil's daughter Emilia, 11, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last year, which prompted him and friend Andy Cliff, 35, to raise £1,200 by completing the 50-mile route.
This year, they're doubling their efforts, and going for the full route.
Emilia has since recovered after treatment, and has been back at school at Fairfield Primary.
"As soon as we got to the end last year we said we would do the 100 this time around," said Phil.
"The charity were so supportive when Emilia was diagnosed; we wanted to give something back. It doesn't just stop now she's back to normal.
"It was the most joyous bit of news possible when we heard she was better and I'm not going to stop doing things for the people who helped us out at such a tough time."
In true family spirit, Graeme Sharrocks, 42, of Ollerton, is cycling the 25-mile ride with his father Paul, 70, and son Ben, 12.
He owns Loop Wheels, a local company that produces a revolutionary new cycle suspension – where springs replace spokes in the centre of the wheel – and is riding one of his bikes on Sunday.
Along with inventor Sam Pearce, Graeme has sold 32 of the new bikes, and Loop Wheels go into full-scale production in September.
Graeme said: "My dad and my son are both using normal mountain bikes, so it will be good to directly compare the ride.
"I might let my dad have a ride on my bike, but if there's any chance of me being uncomfortable I'll have to reconsider."
The ride is part of a three-day Experian Cycle Live programme of two-wheeled entertainment, centered around the hub at Victoria Embankment and organised by Perfect Motion.
On Friday, elite cyclists take to the road in the Nottingham Grand Prix, with family fun taking centre stage on Saturday in the Nottingham City Ride.
Experian Cycle Live Event Director Christopher Simon said: "The Great Notts Bike Ride is the finale of what promises to be a great weekend of cycling. "Our event village is packed with things to see and do, so anyone who is waiting for riders to finish will find loads to keep themselves entertained.
"After the ride, people can come back to the Victoria Embankment and relax, listen to live music, enjoy some great food and drink and soak up the festival atmosphere."
