Melanie Rice writes:

Yorkshire lasses Kate Horsfall of Wetherby and Judith Worrall of Thirsk are inviting all ladies who like to cycle to their Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club’s first charity sportive on 14 August – 140 entrants have already signed up and just 160 places remain.

??????????????

Supported by All Terrain Cycles and the ladies of YLCC, the annual sportive is being held in aid of Women v Cancer which comprises Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Action. Starting from Carlton Lodge Activity Centre, Thirsk, the event is being organised through British Cycling and offers three levels of difficulty with a 30 mile ‘Cuppa tea an a piece a cake’ ride; a 60 mile ‘Reet Gud Ride’; and a 103 mile ‘By Eck Tha War Ard Ride’ route – all riders will be awarded a medal and a piece of cake when they finish!

The Wetherby-based cycling club was launched in March 2015 with support from All Terrain Cycles, which has superstores in Wetherby and Saltaire. One of the few ladies only clubs in the region, it has proved hugely popular as growing numbers of women have taken up the sport. As part of its commitment to promoting cycling in Yorkshire, All Terrain is supporting the sportive by helping out with equipment and mobile mechanical support as well as supplying energy gels to help keep the ladies’ wheels and legs turning.

“We’ve had a phenomenal response to our first charity sportive – originally, we were hoping for about 50 entrants, but take-up was much stronger than we expected, especially on the longer routes. Our fun and friendly members are getting really excited to be riding and encouraging ladies on the day, as well as manning feed stations and marshalling the routes. Word seems to have spread and we’re optimistic that by August all 300 places will be filled,” says Kate. “We think the event is proving particularly popular because it’s one of the few ladies-only sportives in Yorkshire and we’re offering rides for all abilities – and, of course, there is the promise of cake at the finish line!”

Jude adds: “We are really grateful to All Terrain Cycles for their ongoing support, from providing our fantastic club kit and sponsorship to giving us a friendly welcome as we set out on our rides on a Sunday morning, we couldn’t have done it without them. Thanks to their support, we’re looking forward to a successful event and hoping to raise lots of funds for three wonderful women’s charities.”

Tony Booth, managing director of All Terrain Cycles, says: “It’s great news that with over two months to go, almost half of the places on the YLCC sportive have already been taken. It’s such a friendly, welcoming club that it’s no surprise that the event is attracting so many cyclists – any ladies planning to take part should enter soon or they may have to wait until next year.”

The lunch stop will be at the famous Mousey Thompson shop and café for the participants doing the 60 mile and 100 mile routes. The ride will be well signposted with marshalls at points along the route, mechanical assistance will be provided by All Terrain Cycles and there will be well stocked feed stations.

The event is being supported by a number of local businesses including Carlton Lodge, where Judith works. David Sharpe, chief executive of the activity centre agreed to stage the sportive which has also attracted sponsors including Yorkshire Tea Room, Yorkshire Tea, Office Solutions, Heck Sausages, Paynes Dairies, Masham Sausages and Chia Bars which are donating cakes, tea, sausages, energy bars, milk and office supplies.

Yorkshire Lass Cycling Club meets at 10am most Sunday’s at All Terrain Cycles on Audby Lane, Wetherby. Anyone interested in joining the club, taking part in the sportive or who would like to be a sponsor should visit: www.yorkshirelass.cc or to enter the charity sportive, visit the British Cycling website. For any questions about the sportive or accommodation for the sportive, please contact yorkshirelasscc@hotmail.com.