The 50-mile challenge: join the Cathedrals’ Cycle Relay from Peterborough to Leicester

June 9, 2022

Peterborough Cathedral is inviting enthusiastic cyclists to join their team riding to Leicester on Friday 8 July, as part of the national Cathedrals’ Cycle Relay.

The 50-mile route from Peterborough to Leicester is just one section of the Relay, which takes a baton around all 42 English cathedrals via the Cathedrals’ Cycle Route. It’s a journey of nearly 2000 miles which began this week (6th June 2022) at Newcastle Cathedral.

The baton will arrive in Peterborough from Ely Cathedral on the afternoon of Thursday 7 July and the Peterborough cyclists will leave for Leicester at 9.30am on 8 July. Riders have the option of cycling just as far as Stamford (14 miles) or Oakham (28 miles) and returning by train, or they can cycle the whole route to Leicester, from where there is the option to return to Peterborough by train. Cyclists can also join the team at Stamford or Oakham.

The Peterborough cyclists are raising money for Light Project Peterborough, the charity whose Garden House project supporting the homeless is located within the Cathedral Precincts. You can sponsor the cyclists via the JustGiving page set up by Henry Laprun, the Cathedral volunteer and keen cyclist who is leading the team. The link is: www.justgiving.com/LightProjectPeterborough-CCR2022.

The Cathedrals’ Cycle Route was launched during Bike Week in 2021 as a way of encouraging cycling for health and well-being, fundraising and pilgrimage to cathedrals. It is a unique partnership between the Association of English Cathedrals and Cycling UK, with the support of Sustrans, the British Pilgrimage Trust and Northumbria University. Since it was launched around 400 cyclists have tackled sections of the route.

Henry Laprun said: “Last year we cycled from Peterborough to Ely and it was great fun, so I am looking forward to cycling to Leicester this year. There may be a few more hills to negotiate but it is a beautiful route so I would encourage you to join me and cycle for this very good cause.”

Steve Pettican, CEO of Light Project Peterborough, said: “As a keen cyclist myself I think the Cathedrals Cycle Route is a fantastic idea and we really appreciate the Peterborough team’s decision to raise money for our work again this year.”

Anyone who would like to get involved is invited to register online via the Peterborough Cathedral website. The deadline for registration is 9.00am on Friday 1 July 2022.