Date announced for the 10th annual Round Stra’ven 50 cycle ride

Jun 1 2011 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

IT may only be the start of June but organisers of the 10th annual Round Stra’ven 50/15 Charity Cycle Ride are urging cycle enthusiasts of all levels to make sure they mark the event in their diaries for Sunday, August 21.

This year the organisers hope to attract even more riders than last year, when a total of 175 cyclists took part in the 50-mile ride and a further 53 family teams totalling 161 people, including 83 children took part in the 15-miler.

The RS50/15 has now raised over £32,000 in the nine years it has been running, and the target this year is for an especially large turn-out to get as close as possible to topping £40,000 for the ride’s first decade.

The main 50-mile route runs over country roads around Strathaven and through the surrounding villages of Sandford, Glassford, Chapelton and Auldhouse.

Quiet and well signposted, the circuit is marshalled at all the main junctions by volunteers. Copies of the guide, now in its second edition, are available in advance of the event so participants can read up on sites of historical interest that lie along the way. The cost is £5.

Although riders as young as 10 years of age have completed the RS50, lesser distances are also possible thanks to the design of the route, which allows participants to return within just a few miles to Strathaven.

The popular 15-mile circuit lets families ride together, but would also suit those who prefer a lesser but equally worthwhile challenge.

The 15-mile route is particularly recommended for younger children, with junctions selected for safe riding.

As usual, the RS50 is a sponsored event, and cash raised this year will be used for charity work in Zambia.

Eleven members of the Strathaven Explorer Scout Unit and five leaders are travelling to the country to undertake work on behalf of the charity Health Help International.

This year one of the main projects to be tackled is the building of a grain mill house for a handicapped community in a rural location, where the Explorers will camp for several days.

A total of about £27,000 needs to be raised, with over £12,000 secured to date.

Monies raised from this year’s Round Stra’ven 50 charity cycle event will help pay for the purchase of a hammer mill, which the explorers and their leaders will install at a cost of around £2700.

Cyclists are asked to raise money through sponsorship for this work, or to make a donation – payable on the day of the race – to these good causes, minimum £15 for riders on the RS50, and the same sum for family groups on the RS15.

Both cycle runs will start and finish at the upper car park of the George Allan Park, off Threestanes Road, Strathaven, the 50-mile ride starting between 10-11am and the 15-miler between 1-2pm. Intrepid cyclists can therefore tackle both the 50 and the 15.

Although starting a little earlier, Irene Wilson of the Strathaven Striders is promoting the John Lucas Memorial Ultra Run, which is also held in support of nominated charities.

More details nearer the time.