Celebrating charity cycle ride

THE Park Hotel in Barnstaple will be the backdrop to a Children's Hospice South West charity extravaganza on Sunday.

Organisers of last year's Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge will announce how much was raised by their efforts — an amount likely to be more than £30,000.

The fundraiser, on Sunday February 5, will also see the organisers of the Coast to Coast Challenge unveil the route for this year's event.

In 2011 nearly 400 cyclists tackled the 70 or 100 mile routes, each starting and finishing on Bideford Quay. Organisers are hopeful that even more cyclists will take up the challenge this year.

Event organiser Simon Paddon said: "The challenge has become very popular with the local cycling community, as well as those who have never taken on such a challenge before.

"Finding an interesting, tough and scenic route is something that takes a great deal of time, but we think we've got a cracker this year."

Simon and the team would also like to hear from any companies who would like to sponsor the event in some way.

The 2012 Devon Coast-to-Coast Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 3.

To enter, call Emma Lowe at North Devon Hospice on 01271 347213.