ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING RIDE!

If you took part in the 2009 Burgess Hill Bike Ride, thank you for making it such a great event!

Some people will tell you that this country no longer has any community spirit. Well they should have been standing with me at Oakmeeds Community College on Sunday morning when a record 836 cyclists, mostly from Mid Sussex, ignored the weather forecast to turn out for the start of the Burgess Hill Bike Ride. They should have been standing with me when those same cyclists arrived back at the end of the ride, tired but beaming all over their faces, chatting with people they hardly know about the fun experience they had just shared.

Despite the early morning rain, this year's Burgess Hill Bike Ride once again attracted a record number of cyclists - over 10% up from last year's record. In a first for this joint Round Table and Lions Club annual event, the crowds of riders gathering at Oakmeeds were entertained by presenter Paul Williams, as Bright FM broadcast their Sunday morning show live from the start/finish point.

As 9am approached, Burgess Hill Town Crier Neil Batsford, resplendent in his striking red coat, welcomed the riders before the official start, when the ribbon was cut by Councillor Jane Keel, Chairman of Mid Sussex District Council, who sponsored safety signs and advertising for the ride.

Sussex police helped ensure a safe start by closing Station Road and the marshals from Round Table and Lions Club were positioned at strategic points around the 10, 20 and 40 mile routes.

Among the cyclists was David Mordecai, Managing Director of Sussex-based model s and collectibles retailer Modelzone, who as main sponsor, supplied the T-shirts for all those who entered in advance.

The many local sponsors included BG Benton of Uckfield who supplied a veritable mountain of soft drinks for the start/finish point and the checkpoint at St. Peter & St. James Hospice; Bennett Dawes Insurance Brokers covered the postage costs; Marks and Spencer, Russells Fruiterers and Wairose supplied fruit; Aquaid supplied water; Budgens of Hassocks and Tesco helped with chocolate treats; West Sussex County Council supplied safety barriers; even loos were provided by the Portable Cabin Shop and H. J. Stomer & Sons will once again be engraving the trophies.

Most of the participants enjoyed a trouble-free ride but for those with mechanical problems, the Bike Doctor from Anthony Hole & Sons was on hand to provide running repairs.

As the sun continued to shine, the riders made their way back to the start/finish point, full of praise for the routes, marshals, checkpoints and the overall organisation. It is too early to be sure how much sponsorship will be raised but based on the pledges received on the day, organisers Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath & District Round Table and Burgess Hill District Lions Club are hoping that the ride will raise £20,000 - half of which will go to St. Peter & St. James Hospice & Continuing Care Centre with the balance distributed to local worthy causes.

Please send any sponsorship cheques or postal orders (payable to Burgess Hill Bike Ride) to Burgess Hill Bike Ride, P.O.Box 65, Hassocks, BN6 0BH. There are prizes for the individual and team raising the most sponsorship, so please keep that money coming in.

We will be making regular updates to the web site over the next few weeks, including photos from this year's ride, cycling-related blogs and routes from previous Burgess Hill Bike Rides, so please keep checking the site. If you have any interesting anecdotes or unusual photos from this or previous rides, please email them to email@burgesshillbikeride.co.uk and we'll publish what we can.

Thanks again for taking part in this ever-growing annual event.

Steve Cronin, Chairman.