Foldable Bikes Party: Nocturnal Nightrider charity events come to Bristol and Liverpool

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Nocturnal Nightrider charity events come to Bristol and Liverpool

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Nightrider's charity rides are coming to Bristol and Liverpool, joining London in a nighttime sightseeing event lineup for 2016. Ride bikes, have fun and raise money for a good cause.

If you're unfamiliar with Nightrider's events, they lead riders on a signposted route – after dark, as the name suggests – around a city. Organisers provide full support, mechanical assistance, hi-vis vests, break stops every 20km, finishers' medals and breakfast.

The Bristol Nightrider will take place overnight from Saturday 25 June to Sunday 26 June, starting in the north of the city at Horfield leisure centre. The 100km circular route is yet to be finalised, but other Nightrider events take participants past the iconic landmarks of the host city, so we'd expect the same in Bristol with the old city docks, Corn Exchange and of course the Clifton Suspension Bridge already mentioned. The route won't be on closed roads, so although organisers will choose quieter roads where possible – obviously easier during the night – there will be busier sections of road included.

In Liverpool, riders can take in a 'magical mystery tour' consisting of two 50km loops. The first takes riders through the Mersey Tunnel (which will be closed to other traffic) and out to the Wirral peninsula; the second is a tour of Liverpudlian landmarks included the Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, Albert Dock and Crosby Beach. This event starts and finishes at the Mersey Ferry Terminal and, as with other Nightrider events, the way will be clearly signposted.

Organised charity cycle events are on the rise, with newer events like Nightrider and the RideLondon 100 joining longstanding classics such as the BHF (British Heart Foundation) London to Brighton bike ride. Often fully supported and waymarked, and sometimes with closed roads, they offer excellent opportunities to raise money for a good cause – and also frequently serve as catalysts for getting more people into cycling.

Nightrider events are much more about enjoying the experience, taking in the sights and raising money for a good cause rather than riding full pelt, and as such won't be timed. There are no rewards for the first finishers, other than the warm glow of goodwill.