Most weeks during the summer months, we read stories in the Worcester News of cyclists who have taken on a major challenge to ride from Lands End to John O’Groats or a more local charity ride around Worcestershire’s wonderful countryside.

Charity rides are certainly a great way to set yourself a target and get you out cycling. In doing so you’ll be helping yourself get fit whilst also raising funds for a worthy cause. There are two ways in which charities raise funds, either by charging an entry fee and/or by encouraging participants to seek sponsorship from friends, relatives and companies.

On Saturday, July 1, there’s an ideal opportunity for you to get your bike out of the shed and help raise funds for Worcester’s biggest local charity, St Richard’s Hospice. After reviving their Bikeathon in 2017, St Richards are again offering challenges to suit all abilities.

There’s a Family friendly 16-mile ride out towards Kempsey and back. A 45-mile route around Bredon Hill and a more challenging 64-mile route that takes you up into the Cotswolds. All routes start from the County Hall car park, adjacent to the Hospice with starts from 8am-9am for the 64-mile route and 9am-10.30am for the two shorter rides.. Entries for the Family ride are £15 for adults and £10 for children under 16. For the other two the fee is £30 per participant. You can also raise sponsorship to maximise funds raised for the charity. For more detailed information and to register, visit strichards.org.uk

If you can’t make July 1 or need more time to get yourself and bike ready there’s Ride and Stride on Saturday, September 8.

It’s part of a national and annual event that raises funds to help repair and maintain historic churches. More information is available at rideandstride.org.uk . Click through the ‘Ride and Stride Near You’ button to find out which local churches are involved.

You’ll need to make up your own route to visit local churches that the Worcestershire & Dudley Historic Churches Trust looks after. Several will be open on the day and will be offering refreshments.

For ideas on a possible route the local ‘Towers and Spires’ cycling guide with suggested 25 and 50-mile routes is downloadable from the website or a copy can be picked up from Worcester TIC.

The sponsorship money raised will be shared equally between a place of worship nominated by you and the Worcestershire & Dudley Historic Churches Trust.