Hundreds turn out for best-ever Tour de Vale

Just under 2,000 people took part in this year's Tour de '¨Vale '“ a record number of '¨participants.
Cyclists taking part in the Tour de Vale on the 25km route PNL-160627-133514001Cyclists taking part in the Tour de Vale on the 25km route PNL-160627-133514001
Cyclists taking part in the Tour de Vale on the 25km route PNL-160627-133514001

Organised by WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport, the event took riders on a choice of three routes, which all started and finished at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

There was a 25km route for families through villages including Bishopstone, Ford and Kimblewick which proved 
exceptionally popular this year.

Other options were a 60km route through villages including Mentmore and Whitchurch as well as a climb at Waddesdon Manor and a 100km route around South Bucks which included a climb at Wendover Woods.

WheelPower’s Tour de Vale director Jo Hall said: “We are elated with this year’s amazing turnout for the Mix96 Tour de Vale. The bike ride is WheelPower’s biggest fundraising event of the year, so we are so grateful for the tremendous support we have from the local community.

“Thank you to everyone that has taken part and for all the funds you have raised in sponsorship, it enables WheelPower to provide life transforming acitivties for disabled children and recently injured adults.

“WheelPower would also like to applaud the many amazing volunteers and organisations, without them the Tour de Vale would not be possible.

“Thank you to Mix96, Fresh, Aylesbury Cycling Campaign, Buckingham Bikes and Abingdon Venture Rescue for your continued support.”

Liz Miller, 72, from Leighton Buzzard, who was participating in the event for a second time said: “I’ve really enjoyed the ride today.

“During the route there was always somebody cycling in front or nearby encouraging me to keep going, that really helped!”

Pictured at the top of the page is the start of the 25km route, then below action from the 25km route and at the bottom a participant on the 60km route poses for the camera in Eythrope Park.

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