Hundreds of cyclists from across the county and further afield are gearing up for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court’s charity cycle event on Sunday.

The event, which is one the of longest running and best loved charity cycle rides in the Cotswolds, has seen the most cyclists ever sign up to ride the 40km, 90km and 130km scenic routes.

Starting from Dean Close School in Cheltenham, cyclists enjoy registration and rider support from British Cycling, a fully signed route with feed station and water stations, post-ride refreshments, medical and mechanical support and a finisher’s medal.

Cyclists wanting to take part who haven’t already secured their space can still sign up and ride out on the day with on-the-day registration open from 7.30am.

Sign up fees are £15 for the 40km and £25 for all other routes.

Alan Sutor took part in Sue Ryder's first Ride for Ryder cycling event in 1988 aged just 14. Fast-forward 31 years to the present day and he is preparing to take on the 2019 Ride for Ryder.

“Despite not having ridden more than to the shops since my last Ride for Ryder, I started training at new year and entered the 90km route in 2017,” he said.

“It appears that 28 years off a bicycle had done nothing for my fitness and I seriously doubted whether I would manage the distance!

“The great thing about Ride for Ryder is that there are plenty of others on the ride too, and it is possible to have company and support even if you've signed up on your own. It certainly helped when I was flagging a little, as did the chocolate and additional water at one of the refreshment stops provided.

“Since the 2017 Ride for Ryder, both my father and mother-in-law have received care from Sue Ryder. The team provided my mother-in-law with palliative care in her home during her final few weeks. They also gave palliative care to my father in Leckhampton Court Hospice upon leaving hospital while a nursing home placement was sought.

"The hospice offers amazing care and requires significant funding in order to continue so I am back, some 30 years on from my first Ride for Ryder, determined to take on my longest distance to date; 130km!"

Elise Hoadley, Director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said: “Ride for Ryder is something of a local institution and every mile cycled and every donation secured will help our Sue Ryder Nurses, care team and support staff be there for local families when it matters.

“I am really looking forward to welcoming our charity cyclists and waving them off on Sunday.”

For more information email leckhampton.events@sueryder.org or call 01242 246162.