Hundreds put pedal power to test at Halesowen Cycling Club sportive - with PICTURES
Hundreds of cyclists have taken part in a special sportive to raise money to restore their stadium's ageing clubhouse.
A total of 170 cyclists from Halesowen Cycling Club put their pedal power to the test in the sportive event yesterday, setting off at 8am.
The Halesowen One Hundred Sportive event was officially launched by cycling legend Hugh Porter MBE, who dropped the flag on the race.
The event offered cyclists two choices of route - a longer 64 mile or 100km route and a 39 mile or 60km route - designed to attract all levels of cyclists.
Cyclists followed a clearly marked route from the Manor Abbey Stadium out into the Staffordshire and Worcestershire countryside before looping back to the finish with a circuit of the club's velodrome.
Organisers believe the event has raised more than £2,000 to help transform the wooden club house dating from 1948. The total amount is yet to be confirmed.
Speaking of the event, Hugh Porter MBE said: "I am a patron of the club and it was a huge privilege to be asked to drop the flag and support the members and this important event.
"Last year, the club asked me to donate the £1,000 raised by the previous event to Compton Hospice. This year, the club is raising money for its club house and I'm looking forward to seeing how the money helps to transform it."
Paul Barker, coach and organiser of the sportive, said: "We have been running the sportives for the last three years and now the club is looking to invest in its future and the future of its members by making the club house a better place to be.
"We had 170 cyclists take part, with an impressive 140 of these taking up the 100km challenge.
"We think we have raised in excess of £2,000 from today's event and are looking forward to using that money to encourage the youngsters and more people to take up cycling."
