Sign up for this year’s Rotary Bikeathon

Registration is now open for this year’s Maidenhead Rotary Bikeathon, which offers three different routes catering for cyclists of every age and ability from families to serious club riders.

A relatively new event in the cycling calendar, the Bikeathon is growing in popularity and organisers are hoping for a record turn-out this year.

Taking place on Sunday, July 10, the Bikeathon has a choice of three different routes - 15, 35 and 62 miles (24, 50 and 100km) - which all start and finish at Maidenhead Office Park in Littlewick Green.

The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Maidenhead and proceeds will be donated to Rotary charities.  Participants are also welcome to raise sponsorship for their own good cause, if they wish.
Organiser Sean Egan said: “The Bikeathon is going from strength to strength and online registration is now open for this year.

“It’s not a race and the three different routes cater for all ages and abilities. So whether you are looking for a fun family event, are a regular cyclist or part of a club looking for your next challenge, we have a route for you.”

The short ‘family’ route – which is mostly flat – and the medium route follow quiet country roads around the Walthams, Shurlock Row, Binfield and Winkfield Row. The long route heads over to Henley, Christmas Common, then back to Maidenhead via Sonning and Winkfield.
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While roads will not be closed for the event, all routes will be clearly marked and there will be marshals along the short route. 
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The Bikeathon caters for everyone from families to serious club cyclists.
Refreshment stations are located approximately half-way along each route. Medals will be awarded to all cyclists who complete the event.
Registration costs £15 for adults (aged 18 and over), £10 for 12-17-year-olds, and is free for children under 12. 
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Road, hybrid or mountain bikes are all suitable. Electric bikes, child seats and tag-alongs are all permitted. Please ensure bikes are roadworthy and all participants must wear a helmet. The whole event, including registration, takes place outdoors and any necessary Covid-19 precautions will be observed.
For more details and to register please see www.maidenheadbikeathon.co.uk

Record numbers saddled up for Bikeathon in 2021

A record number of cyclists of all ages and abilities saddled up to take part in last year’s Maidenhead Rotary Club Bikeathon on Sunday 11th July.
After being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19, last year saw nearly 250 cyclists follow three different routes – a 15-mile family route, a 35-mile medium route and a 62-mile long route for serious club cyclists.
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Event organiser, Rotarian Sean Egan, said: “We were delighted to run the Bikeathon again after its absence last year and it was great to welcome so many more families, individuals and clubs.  Today represents a significant increase in numbers and hopefully we can now get some real annual traction year on year.”
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“The Bikeathon isn’t a race but the three different routes cater for every level of cyclist whether they have just started cycling, wanted a fun family day out, or were looking for a serious challenge. It really is an event for everyone – our youngest cyclist was five years old and even a couple of toddlers took part in ride alongs towed by their parents. ”

All routes started and finished at Maidenhead Office Park in Littlewick Green. The family and the medium routes followed quiet country roads around the Walthams, Shurlock Row, Binfield and Winkfield Row, while the long route took riders over to Henley and Christmas Common, then back to Maidenhead via Sonning and Winkfield.
Staging the event is a huge undertaking for the Rotary Club, involving a small army of volunteers to signpost the routes, register entrants at the start, and man feed stations and marshal points.
Feedback from participants was resoundingly positive. One cyclist who completed the long route said: “It was fantastic –brilliantly organised and the best signposted sportive I have ever taken part in.”
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Proceeds from the event are still to be finalised but any excess will be donated to Dementia Research UK.