Transaid is calling on the transport and logistics sector to sign up for its two day, 159-mile cycle challenge which sets off on 20 September in Newcastle and finishes in the grounds of Edinburgh Castle.

Participants willl meet up in Newcastle on 19 September for dinner and an event briefing before setting off in the early hours of the following day from the Tyne Estuary, pedalling 89 miles along mostly coastal paths and quiet roads, taking in Whitley Bay, Blyth, Northumberland National Park, and the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The day will wrap up in the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, just a stone’s throw from the Scottish border. 

Day two adds a further 70 miles of riding on mostly country lanes and coastal roads, entering the Tweed valley, climbing Priestlaw Hill and crossing over to Midlothian, before arriving at Edinburgh Castle. Following a celebratory dinner and an evening in Edinburgh participants will make their way home on 22 September. 

Announcing the ride, Caroline Barber, Transaid chief executive, said: ”We know how popular our UK-based cycle challenges have been in recent years, and we wanted to tackle a part of the country we hadn’t ridden before. 

“Our shorter two-day rides are an excellent way for people to set a fitness goal for the year, and to get a taste for what a Transaid cycle challenge is all about. They always create a beautiful camaraderie between riders and raise essential unrestricted funds for our road safety and access to health projects.” 

Last year’s challenge saw 40 riders cycling from London to Paris, raising more than £65,000. This year, Transaid is also running a Cycle Kenya challenge over six days and 295 miles, taking place in October. 

Entries for Newcastle to Edinburgh are encouraged from both teams and individuals. The registration fee is £139 per person and participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,400 to take part. The costs include accommodation with meals, vehicle and ride support, luggage transfer, route guidance and a return transfer to Tynemouth, which has been sponsored by Stanley Travel. 

Founded by Save the Children, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and its Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, the international development organisation works with communities, partners, and governments to solve transport challenges throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Transaid works in two core areas, road safety and access to health. Transaid’s road safety work focuses on influencing safe driver behaviour with long term programmes in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, responding to local needs for improved training for drivers and riders of trucks, buses, motorcycles and forklift trucks.

On the access to health side, Transaid is working with local partners and communities to strengthen access to health services, primarily in rural areas. They are also working to strengthen health supply chains in collaboration with local partners and governments.

To sign up for this latest event, or to find out more, contact Anna Giavedoni, Transaid events officer on +44 (0)7310 909580. 

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