Cycling is a fun way to stay active and burn calories, and it provides many health benefits, like boosting cardiovascular fitness and lowering your risk of cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.
But did you know that some cycling events also allow you to raise money for charity? It’s true, so if staying fit isn’t a good enough reason to enter a race, giving back to your community may give you the motivation you need.
Below is a list of four cycling events that will happen this 2024 in Essex, so check them out and see which one appeals to you the most.
Table of Contents
Challenging MND Sportive
Challenging MND Sportive is a road bike cycling event that will take place in the United Kingdom, more precisely, in Brentwood, the East of England, on Sunday, the 24th of June, 2024.
If you want to contribute to an important cause and raise awareness for people diagnosed with MND, this event is for you. MND stands for motor neuron disease and is a progressive illness that affects the nerves and brain, causing weakness that worsens over time. MND charities aim to raise money for medical research regarding this condition.
You can show support by participating in a challenge, whether running a marathon, climbing a mountain, or cycling. Regarding the Challenging MND Sportive event, four distances are available: the big one of 100 miles and three others of 71, 41, and 25 miles. The entry fee is £50, with the profits going to charity.
RIDE Essex
This is one of the most popular rides when it comes to cycling in Essex, attracting more than 500 participants and including three route options that allow you to enjoy a spectacular view through farmlands and villages. The cycling event, Challenging MND Sportive, is set for the upcoming autumn season, specifically on Saturday, the 3rd of September, 2024, at Writtle University College in Chelmsford.
Participants can choose from three routes, each varying in distance, with registration fees ranging from £36.00 to £48.00. The primary goal of this event is to raise funds for Action Medical Research, a UK charity dedicated to supporting sick children and babies.
If you’ve started riding recently, you can take the 36-mile route, while the 100 mile-route is ideal for those who are more experienced. If you want to make a difference in children’s lives, this event is a great way to do so, as you’ll also get to enjoy beautiful quaint gardens during the ride.
The Tour Essex
The Tour Essex Sportive takes place yearly in London, UK. The previous edition was organized last year on the 12th of June; this year, it is scheduled for the 14th of May.
Since the numbers for this event are limited, consider securing your place via online pre-entry. You can choose the route that best suits you, depending on how athletic you are. If you haven’t got the legs for a long ride, you can take a beginner route of 42 miles.
All roads will offer you the picturesque scenery of Essex, and since there are no cars in the area, you can have a far more enjoyable ride – perhaps even a friendly competition with a mate.
The Smoke Ring Challenge
If you’re up for an orbital route around London, this event is for you. The Smoke Ring Challenge, which will take place on the 7th of July in Tilbury, will involve an anti-clockwise journey through Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, and Kent, allowing you to encounter many trail gems, including woodland, bridleways, and heathland. This is a gravel bike cycling event, so it may seem daunting for those with a road cycling background.
However, you should be able to manage if you have mountain biking skills – which is highly recommended if you want to participate in this kind of event. Entering a gravel event shows you great trails and allows you to meet amazing people from the gravel community, making it a valuable experience.
Final thoughts
Cycling is exciting, healthy, and rewarding, so if you’re adventurous, consider participating in an event.
