Tour de Foxes “ Everything you need to know

The fundraising bike ride, the Tour de Foxes begins tomorrow, (July 18) with 14 riders setting off on the 80-mile ride, raising money for the Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s Foundation.

Everyone at the club wishes the riders, which include three representatives from the club, the best of luck as they depart on the journey.

Here’s everything you need to know about the challenge.

The Route

The 80-mile challenge will begin and end at the Uptonsteel County Ground with riders departing at approximately 8am.

The route takes them south-east before navigating along the country roads north, towards Melton Mowbray. They then ride through the Soar Valley area, before heading North West and returning to the Uptonsteel County Ground via Charnwood before travelling through parts of Hinckley and Bosworth and Blaby Districts.

The route takes the riders past 11 local cricket clubs, where the riders will take a brief stop for a photo opportunity. There will be rest stops at Melton Mowbray and Shepshed.

Keep an eye out for the riders as they pass to show your support.

The Riders

The group of 14 riders have all registered to take part in the challenge and include, three representatives of the club; CEO, Sean Jarvis, Head of Community, Mark Barber and Academy Administrator, Elaine Pickering.

BBC Radio Leicester Commentator, Richard Rae and Official Partner Richard Chambers will also be taking up the challenge.

Michael Harrison, Christopher Lee, Thomas Meila, Trevor Thomas, David Weston, John Davies, Julian Evans, John Sealey and Justin Nicholls build the 14 squad.

The Jersey

The riders will be wearing the official Leicestershire CCC Cycle jersey so, they’ll be easy to recognise as they take to the roads.

The jersey includes the club’s main colours of green and red along with the club logo so riders stand out throughout the ride.  

Be sure to keep an eye out for the riders as they embark on the ride.

The Cause

The Tour de Foxes is a charity bike ride event, with the riders raising funds for the club’s Foundation, which supports two local charities, Healing Little Hearts and Alex’s Wish, alongside the club’s Academy and local grassroots cricket clubs.

The riders have collectively raised more than £2,800 so far with donations still available to be made HERE.

Representatives from both charities will be at the Uptonsteel County Ground to welcome the riders back after completing the challenge.

The Challenge

The riders range from complete novices to keen cyclists, nevertheless the 80-mile route is a challenge and each cyclist has the full support of the club behind them.

To keep up-to-date with the progress of the riders, be sure to follow the club’s official social media accounts where regular updates will be posted. Use #TourDeFoxes to spur the riders on as they embark on the challenge.

The riders are expected back at the Uptonsteel County Ground around 4pm-5pm with staff at the club welcoming them back through the gates.

They will then stay within the marquee hospitality facility to watch the T20 Vitality Blast fixture between the Running Foxes and Worcestershire Rapids.