The Aegis Citycard Cycles 100km challenge drew to a close in style this week as riders took to the road in the Central African Republic and in the UK with double Olympic medallist Bryan Steel. Raising funds for Aegis, the ride featured a team of more than a dozen participants from Nottingham City Council – putting their trusty green Citycard bikes to a stern test.
Bryan Steel led out the UK ride on Sunday, starting and finishing at the National Holocaust Centre, from which Aegis developed over ten years ago. “We’ve had a great day. We’ve had some very nice weather for the time of year, and it’s also great to do something for a very well worthwhile cause,” he stated.
“It was great – I just feel energised now,” commented another rider, Beverley Abbott, on completing the 100km. “It was the cause that spurred me on. I truly believe in it, and I’d like to get involved further.”
“When you talk about genocide, you don’t normally think that it’s going on today,” said Dan Smith of the Sherwood Pines Cycling Club, who also took part. “It’s been a challenging ride, but it’s good to know that you’re doing some good for something that’s actually happening now. I’ll definitely do it again if it’s on next year.”
Under the terms of the challenge, riders had to complete 100km within one 24-hour period, any time in September, anywhere in the World. Taken up by cyclists from the UK to South Africa, the biggest ride outside the UK took place on Sunday and Monday this week under the watchful eye of international peacekeepers in Bangui, the capital of the troubled Central African Republic, where 5,000 people have been killed during interreligious violence that has driven hundreds of thousands from their homes.
“This event took the whole concept of peace and reconciliation to a level I wasn’t expecting here,” commented local organiser David de Armey, who was rising in support both of Aegis and his own charity Water for Good. “It’s been very encouraging.”
Along with Nottingham City Council the Challenge’s sponsors included Raleigh, the famed British cycling brand which has been creating bikes in Nottingham for well over a century. The £1,250 Raleigh Revenio Carbon 1 – a carbon fibre racer from Raleigh’s 2015 endurance range – is the top prize in a draw open to everyone who has raised over £500 in sponsorship through the challenge. The winner will be announced at the ‘Discovery Ball’, being held in support of Aegis in Lincoln, UK on Saturday.
