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Preparations for the largest ever Tour de Sez are now well underway.
A total of 84 riders are due to undertake the 700 mile – roughly ten and a half times the length of the English channel – charity bike ride, which begins in Guernsey on 7 September and ends in Amsterdam nine days later.
The ride is raising money for The Sarah Groves Foundation, and was created, along with the Tour de Sez, in memory of Sarah Groves, who was murdered in 2013.
This year the Foundation has pledged £50,000 of the funds raised toward the Children’s Library Project at the Guille-Alles Library. Overall, funds raised will exceed £250,000 before costs. After costs, almost £150,000 of additional funds will be available for distribution to causes which befit the Foundation’s mission statement of "Enhancing Young Lives".
Several fundraising events have already taken place, including Andre De Carteret’s 24-hour cycle challenge, Boaty McBoatface’s voyage to Sark, The Freewheeler Festival and the Runway Ride, just examples of some of the higher profile fundraising events.
Six of the cyclists are employees from headline sponsor First Central Group. FCG Group Operations Manager and part of the Tour’s organising team, Lisa Vidamour, said: “I’m counting down the days till the big trip, we’re all incredibly proud to be supporting this event again. It’s great to have so many members of the FCG team on the road, everyone wants to be a part of the journey, even those not taking an active role are being hugely helpful and supportive.”
Tour organiser, Gary Hooks said: “We have everyone from novice riders to athletes taking part in this year’s challenge. It’s going to be a great 10 days raising money for a charity that helps young people in Guernsey, anyway it can. Our riders are regular people doing something extraordinary for a good cause and we hope the people of Guernsey can see this and help us reach our target.”
The Sarah Groves Foundation Managing Trustee, and Sarah's father, Vic Groves, said: “Sarah was a firm believer in living life to the full and the Tour de Sez embodies this. The past two tours have been extraordinary both for the Foundation and the riders taking part. We are excited to get the 2018 event underway.”
The 100 strong Tour de Sez team – 84 riders and 16 support crew – will set off via ferry to St Malo and from there their first ride will see them cycle 42 miles to Avranches. The Sarah Groves Foundation was set up by Sarah’s parents Vic and Kate Groves and focusses on raising funds to enhance young Guernsey lives by creating better opportunities and experiences for future generations.
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