News: Bradley Wiggins descends on Yorkshire Charity Bike Ride

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Tour de France and Tour of Britain winner Bradley Wiggins made a special appearance at Spadgers Ride in Lotherton Hall yesterday as 910 cyclists took part in a 50 mile bike ride in memory of Lewis ‘Spadger’ Barry who sadly passed away in 2010 from SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Dealth Syndrome).

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The annual event promoted by Lewis’s parents, Mark & Carol and Sportscover Cycling Team where Mark manages the Junior Academy, saw the riders brave foul weather over a 48 mile training route that was a favourite of Lewis’ moved to Lotherton Hall in 2013 after the event outgrew its HQ of Garforth Community College due to the events popularity.

Cyclists of all abilities rode the circular route whilsts youngsters from BBM Revolution Cycling Club aged between 4 and 16 took part in cycle coaching and youth races. The number of participants on the day was staggering and a real testament to the Barry family. Professional riders from around the UK were also in attendance when a helicopter landed in the Lotherton Hall grounds at 12.30 bringing Bradley Wiggins to the event where he spent an hour talking to people and presented Mark Barry with a Credit Lyonnais Lion which was given to him on winning the 2012 Tour de France.

The ride, which marks Lewis’s memory and raises funds for two charities, went through West and North Yorkshire. Mr Barry said one of the aims of the ride was to help raise awareness of Lewis’s medical condition and to promote research.

Lewis was a pupil at what was Garforth Community College and had been cycling seriously since he was 11 years old. The teenager had been expected one day to ride for Great Britain. Lewis came from a cycling family; his father took part in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and his mother Carol is a former national cycling champion.

The ride passed began at Lotherton Hall through Church Fenton, Selby, Cawood, Thorner, Scoles and Aberford before returning to Lotherton Hall. Spadgers Ride is an annual event but anyone not wanting to wait a year can join BBM Revolution Cycling Club based at Knottingley, West Yorkshire who provide rides and coaching for all abilities of cyclist. www.bbmrevolution.com

 

 

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