Cyclists from Bradford Cathedral will be taking part in the second nationwide relay ride on the new Cathedrals Cycle Route that links every one of the 42 Church of England cathedrals.
Local cyclists will set off from Bradford Cathedral on Thursday July 14, heading towards York Minster via Leeds Minster, as part of the Cathedrals Cycle Route Relay 2022, which is being cycled in the opposite direction following the launch in 2021, when cyclists from Bradford heading to Dewsbury Minster and Wakefield Cathedral.
Cyclists will ride between Bradford Cathedral and York Minster, passing on the commemorative baton to the next group of riders in this unique event to celebrate the 2,000-mile loop which links all 42 English Cathedrals to promote greener travel and mental and physical wellbeing and raise funds for good causes.
Each cathedral has a dedicated cycle champion to improve the cycle-readiness of its building, ensure a warm welcome for visiting cyclists and increase the number that currently arrive on two wheels.
Maurice Manktelow, Bradford Cathedral’s Cycle Champion, said: “However our visitors come to our cathedral this year, we look forward to welcoming them and if they come on two wheels, we’re ready with a warm welcome, a place to park their bikes, and somewhere to fill their water bottles.
“We are delighted to be a part of this relay again.
“We have an opportunity to be at the heart of initiatives to support and connect our communities and the Cathedrals Cycle Route is one way of doing that.
“It allows visitors to Bradford Cathedral to appreciate not just the beauty and sanctity of our building, but to enjoy the journey between them as well, which after years of restrictions, is even more important for our mental and physical well-being than ever before.”
There are still a handful of spaces available for cyclists looking to take part this year, and places can be booked via cathedralsrelay.eventbrite.co.uk.
Cyclists can participate in any of the legs, and for those that don’t want to cycle all the way from Bradford to York, there will be a stop at Leeds Minster.
Last year’s team included a member of the Bradford Cathedral clergy, students from the University of Bradford, and members of local cycling groups.
The Cathedrals Cycle Route is a unique partnership between the Association of English Cathedrals and Cycling UK, with the support of Sustrans, the British Pilgrimage Trust and Northumbria University.
Anyone can ride the route, cycling part of the way between one or two cathedrals or attempting the whole of the 2,000-mile loop.
A group set off from Newcastle Cathedral on Monday, June 6, to coincide with the start of Bike Week, Cycling UK’s annual celebration of cycling, and fellow cyclists are expected to return to Newcastle Cathedral 42 days later (weather permitting) bringing back the baton which will have been passed between each of the 42 Church of England cathedrals.
Cyclists will travel from Wakefield Cathedral to Bradford Cathedral on the morning of Thursday, 14 July 2022, before a new group will pass the baton onto York Minster, via Leeds Minster, after 11am.
Cyclists are welcome to sign up at https://cathedralsrelay.eventbrite.co.uk/, to ride either to Leeds Minster, or all the way to York, and everyone is invited to cheer on the cyclists as they depart.