Tour d’Ilmington 30th June 2024

Tour 24 a great success!  

117 riders with approximately half completing the 100km Rebecca Gray Memorial ride. Others took the equally challenging but shorter 30mile David Lockwood Memorial ride which climbs the Ilmington escarpment from different directions.  The final group enjoyed the gently undulating 10 mile Steve Edwards Memorial ride through the picturesque villages of Blackwell, Armscote, Newbold and Crimscote.  The weather was cool and dry, ideal for a cycling adventure.

On the day we were joined by Anton Lesser, John Dinnie (Shipston Mayor), Karen Peachey (Chair, Ilmington Parish Council) and Marion Lowe (Shipston Town Crier).  All enjoyed the event and kindly presented medals to finishers as they arrived.

We are grateful to our sponsors, Pharmacy To My Door, Lower Quinton Garage, Listers Stratford -Upon-Avon, Shipston Spokes who gave us great support both before and during the event; indeed, without this support we would not have been able to it.  We are also grateful to Cyclists Fighting Cancer and Shipston Home Nursing (key partners in putting the Tour together) for their support before and on the day.  Sue and Colin Haywood generously donated the bike carrier as a raffle prize and funds from which helped swell the coffers.

All riders were highly complimentary about the rides, the marshalling and culinary offerings.  Their feelings can be summed up in one message:

The event was very well organised as usual with great people, great food & drink and the Cotswolds location is always excellent!  

Early estimates suggest that we will raise around £2.5k for our charities.