Rides past. . .
The first ride, in 2006, had just 17 riders supported by a bus with bunk beds and a camper van as “broom wagon”. The weather was bitterly cold and at times the peloton faced blizzard conditions. But all the riders arrived safely in Cannes, and the ride aised £110,000.
In 2007 there were 52 riders, including the majority of those from the previous year. For this second year, C2C organised a rolling road closure for the first time. After 2006’s chilly experience camping, riders stayed in hotels. Weather: milder; experience: just as exhilarating. The ride raised £270,000.
In 2008 117 cyclists took part and all completed the distance. Once again, corporate sponsors as well as friends and family stepped up and more than £210,000 was raised for C2C’s charities.
In 2009, despite the economic gloom, 63 riders made their way to Cannes generating a worthy £130,000 for charitable causes.
In 2010, the numbers crept up again, to 85 riders, as did the funds raised – and proportionately by more than could have been expected. In a recession-hit Britain, the ride still managed to raise £172,000 for charity.
In 2011 Cycle to Cannes passed the landmark total of more than £1 million raised since the event started five years earlier. 83 riders set off from Greenwich and made it to Cannes, including many veterans of previous rides (in a few cases of all the rides) and a healthy leavening of first-timers. On Day 6 the peloton was boosted by the presence of double Olympian and Commonwealth medallist Emma Davies and London mayor Boris Johnson.
. . . and Future
Cycle to Cannes 2012 improves on C2C’s tried and tested formula: we do the ride properly, with all the support you could expect, and much you might not think of, with experienced touring cyclists and novice riders alike for company, staying in decent hotels with good food and accompanied by a bikeaholic crew you could only dream of. We've made the Original Ride better than ever, and of course we've added The Chase!
In the year of London’s Olympics why not join us? Be one of the 100 riders we’re hoping will complete Cycle to Cannes 2012.