The 2020 Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride is to raise funds to support the work of The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields with homeless and vulnerable people in central London. Normally, the route follows the Queen Eleanor Crosses, from near Lincoln to London. However, those who have ridden this before will see that in order to conform to social distancing requirements, the format has changed.
This is what the organisers have said:
WHEN? August Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 28 – Monday 31 August 2020)
WHERE? You are invited to cycle 200 miles (the length of the QECR route) over the long weekend, following routes of your choosing in your home area, returning home each night. You can choose routes that offer scenic interest, historical links, or anything else that takes your fancy.
WHO? Any regular cyclists aged 18 or over are welcome. Cyclists aged 16-17 are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. You are encouraged to cycle with a small group of local friends and contacts, within the guidelines in force at that time.
WHAT IS PROVIDED? We will provide material to support your fundraising, and tips on safe cycling, but otherwise you will need to provide for yourself, including cake! However, each evening we will convene a Zoom gathering so that you can share experiences with others across the country who are also taking part, a taste of the camaraderie that is so important to the QECR each year. These will include a small number of QECR veterans, who will be riding the normal route in daily relay sections.
WHY? The Friends of the Connection at St Martin’s urgently needs to raise more funds to support The Connection’s ongoing work to prevent street homelessness and help people to make progress away from the streets. The Connection is based a few yards from the last Eleanor Cross (Charing Cross). We do not set a minimum sponsorship target, but the average raised is around £1,000 per cyclist, and almost all raise over £500.
REGISTRATION: The fee to register is £20, to cover organisational costs. To register, go to: www.friendsoftheconnection.org.uk/events or contact Charles Woodd at queeneleanorcycle@gmail.com or on 07962 213494.
Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/QECR2020/ or visit our website: www.queeneleanorcycleride.org