University of Manchester Cycling Club’s 24-hour bike ride

Harry Newton spoke to Eleni Papadopoulos

With weekly Wednesday cycles, and the ability to provide access to Manchester’s velodrome for anybody who wants to try a higher standard of cycling at a reduced cost, it is no wonder that the University of Manchester Cycling Club have found themselves in a record breaking year. More students have joined the club this year than ever before!

This expansion, plus sponsorship from ProLite and Homes4U, has further strengthened the club, which caters for all levels of cyclists from beginners to more experienced riders. Whether on the road, in the velodrome or as part of their full range of mountain biking, the club offers a variety of opportunities, including the introduction of a number of Track sessions with a professional coach on hand to help the team improve. At this rate, there will be no stopping the team at the BUCS Championships next year.

The club, however, are not just dedicated to winning—they are also dedicated to fundraising for Maggie’s Centres up and down the country. Their first fundraising event for Maggie’s Centre was a 24-hour long cycle that started on Thursday 12th November at 9am outside of the Students’ Union.

Cyclists ranged from members of the club, employees from new sponsors Homes4U, and passing students trying their hand on the Wattbike; they gathered quite a crowd. The Wattbike itself called for students to try the POWER Challenge in a bid to win a prize that any university student would relish—”cheeky Nando’s” vouchers. All cheekiness aside, the team endured 100,000 pedal strokes and 300 miles each in order to raise lots of money for a great cause.

With 15 centres in the United Kingdom, and soon to be another eight—including two in Greater Manchester at The Christie and Oldham — Maggie’s Centres is a charity that focuses on the practical, emotional and social support for cancer sufferers and their families. Whether it be advice on hair loss or helping a family to deal with bereavement, Maggie’s Centres offer a range of professionals to talk to. The university’s Cycling Club are fundraising for a charity that affects everybody and aims to help everybody with the battle that is cancer.

With fundraisers already being considered for next semester, the group are really committed to fundraising as much as they can for Maggie’s Centres. A bike ride relay between different Maggie’s Centres has already been put into the planning process for next semester, even before the 24-hour cycle had been undertaken, highlighting the real support that the club are giving to Maggie’s Centres.

With the club still fundraising, despite their first event being over, it is never too late to put some cash towards a good cause. You can do this by texting UMCC80 (followed by the amount) to 70070, or by visiting their Just Giving page online here.

If you are interested in getting involved in the club’s regular Wednesday bike rides, charity events or anything else cycling-related, you can follow the University of Manchester Cycling Club on Twitter at @uomcycling, or visit their website at uomcc.co.uk.

For more information on Maggie’s Centres go to maggiescentres.org/.