To mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS in 2023, we have joined forces with cycling clubs in Kingston to raise money to support the staff at Kingston Hospital.

From Saturday 25th February club members will be taking on the Ride for 75 challenge to raise money for Kingston Hospital Charity, which is seeking to raise £35,000 for a new secure bike storage facility for hospital staff.

Tim Lawn, Chairman of Kingston Wheelers says;

Many of the staff rely on cycling to get to work and the current facility is not a secure unit, resulting in staff bikes getting stolen on a regular basis.

The new secure unit will be available to all hospital staff and will include 78 bays for bike parking, which will be available 24 hours per day for staff on shift work.

Tracey Shaw, Fundraising Manager at Kingston Hospital Charity says:

The challenge is open to everyone and will launch on 25th February with an event on the virtual cycling platform Zwift. Cyclists can also create their own version of the challenge, whether that’s riding 75 miles for the first time, or lapping Richmond Park on a Boris bike.

Big thanks to all the local businesses supporting who have provided prizes for a raffle for anyone who donates. Prizes include:

* Bike frame bag from Alpkit

* Full bike service from Balfe’s Bikes

* Bean to Cup Coffee experience (for two) with Chimney Fire Coffee

* Canyon Experience Day at Denbies Wine Estate with Just Pedal

* Full summer kit (jersey, bib, socks) from Le Col

* Taproom Tasting (for two) at The Park Brewery

* £100 voucher for Sigma Sports

We'll run the draw and notify winners end of March. Good luck!

ZWIFTATHON

Join us for a charity Zwiftathon on Saturday 25th February where we’ll be riding 75 miles on our turbo. From 9am to 5pm there will be host riders from the organising clubs in the ROBOPACER rides in the WATOPIA world on Zwift.

Group 1: YUMI on the Tick Tock route (faster, 2.9wkg)

Group 2: MIGUEL on the Triple Flat Loops route (slower, 1.8wkg)

Robopacer groups tend to be fast – you’ll benefit from the draft of others and eat up those miles super quick.

If you join these rides, you can also expect to see others riding the fundraiser challenge and be part of the community. If you want to just ride, that’s fine too!

All riders are encouraged to wear the Sigma Sports kit and have RIDEFOR75 as part of their on-screen name.

We’ll be live streaming the ride so be sure to follow the action on our social channels.

Prizes:

Big thanks to our partners Le Col and Sigma Sports for supplying prizes. There will be 4 x £50 Sigma voucher and Le Col socks up for grabs for the following:

* Biggest distanced covered

* Highest elevation gain

* Longest ride duration

* Best Turbo Selfie

All riders who participate will receive a £10 voucher for Sigma Sports (minimum £50 spend) that will be emailed out after the event.

After you’ve finished please submit a ride link on the form here with #Ridefor75 in the title and optional turbo selfie for a chance to win!

See you in Watopia!

Participating Cycling Clubs

Epsom Cycling Club www.epsomcc.co.uk

Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club www.kingstonwheelers.com

London Dynamo www.londondynamo.co.uk

New Malden Velo www.newmaldenvelo.com

Surrey Cycling Club www.surreycyclingclub.co.uk

Velosport Cycling Club www.velosportcc.co.uk

Waldy Wheelers www.waldywheelers.cc

With thanks to

Alpkit www.alpkit.com

Balfe's Bikes www.balfesbikes.co.uk

Chimney Fire Coffee www.chimneyfirecoffee.com

Just Pedal www.just-pedal.com

Le Col www.lecol.cc

The Park Brewery www.theparkbrewery.com

Sigma Sports www.sigmasports.com