Get on your bike for local Male Cancer Charity

Sunday 12 August 2018

This September the biennial Male Uprising Guernsey (MUG) bike ride is back - bigger and better than ever - with five routes to choose from.

Male Uprising Guernsey is asking islanders to round up their friends, family or colleagues and get peddling to support those affected by male cancers in Guernsey.

The fourth MUG Bike Ride, sponsored by Oak Group, will take place on Saturday 1 September. From young to old, leisure bike rider or serious road racer, there is a route for everyone this year as well as a family-friendly ride that can be enjoyed by youngsters. 

Cyclists are also being asked to ‘ride for a life’ again this year by dedicating their ride to a family member or friend who has been affected by cancer, is undergoing treatment or has sadly lost their battle with the disease. Riders can write a message about their personal reason for riding on the number bibs which will be supplied at the start line.

All funds raised will be directly donated to MUG and will go towards the building of a Multidisciplinary Team meeting room (MDT) at the PEH. It is hoped that the cycle will raise the full £25,000 that is needed for the build.

Tony Tostevin, MUG council member, says; ‘Every ride we receive unbelievable support from the public who come forward to take part in this event. This year we hope to raise more funds than before so we can assist in providing the hospital with their new MDT room.

"While there will, of course, be serious riders coming to take part, we want to stress it isn’t a race and we hope that everyone will find a route that suits them. The cycle is about having fun and encouraging people to think about male health.

"We’d like to thank our main sponsors Oak Group and the Boathouse for hosting the after party. We’re grateful to have the support of local businesses for this community-driven event. A massive thanks must also go to Ian Brown and Mark Smith for organising this event which is no mean feat."

The MDT room is used by the different doctors to discuss the essential management of thousands of cancer patients in the Bailiwick. Doctors may need to speak to consultants in the UK during meetings, and up-to-date audiovisual facilities are required so all meeting attendees can see the radiological and pathological investigations. 

The four routes available are 100 miles (four laps of the island), 75 miles (three laps), 50 miles (two laps) and 25 miles (one lap), all of which will start at the MUG Mound in Salarie car park and finish at the Boathouse.

The family route will be a 10km coastal ride starting at Pembroke before finishing at the Boathouse.

Starting times for the routes will be staggered in the hope that most people will finish by 8 pm ready for the after-ride party. The times are as follows:

100 miles starting at 15:00
75 miles starting at 17:00
50 miles starting at 18:00
25 miles starting at 19:00
Family route (MUG Ride 18:00)

Afterparty at the Bouthouse starting at 20:00

The ride can accommodate up to 900 people, and entry is £25.00 per person and £10.00 for under 16’s. The charity is also asking for participants to raise a further £25.00 in sponsorship.

Visit the Eventbrite page to enter, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mug-ride25-2018-tickets-48107510860?aff=erelexpmlt, or, for more information about the charity and the event, visit the website www.mug.gg.

Pictured: From left to right: James Roe, Ian Brown, Mark Chasey Group Chairman at Oak Trust, Tony Tostevin, Tom Haywood and Joe Haywood.