'He'll be there in spirit, leading us around the course': Popular charity ride continues to honour memory of young Wolverhampton cyclist
It's set to be an emotional day for those honouring the memory of a cyclist as friends and family take to the roads around Wolverhampton.
The ninth edition of Ride for Joe will see cyclists and enthusiasts from across the region get together to honour Joe Guy, who died in 2017 after being hit by a van while out riding.
The 16-year-old was training to become a professional time trial rider and the event on Sunday will be a way of honouring his memory, as well as raising funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
The event, which starts at 10am, will see riders take on either the 30-mile or 50-mile courses, which starts and finishes at Aldersley Stadium.
The event will also include members of Wolverhampton Wheelers, for whom Joe was a member, as well as members of his family.
John Ireson, who is part of the organising committee for the event, said it was one close to his heart, as well as everyone taking part, due to their memories of Joe.
He said: "It's something which is very close to our hearts and I knew Joe on a personal level and I know his family very well.
"It's all about the memory of a young rider who was only 16 when we lost him and I think that as long as we keep talking about him, we will remember him.
"He was a very good cyclist who was definitely going places and it's an event which brings the cycling community together, so it's very important that we carry this on and keep doing it as he'll always be in our hearts."
Mr Ireson said there wasn't a specific total he wanted to see raised from the event, but said that it had raised more than £32,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance since its inception, which he said was a great way to help the charity which did so much for Joe.
He said: "The key reason is that the Air Ambulance actually attended the situation where Joe was sadly taken from us, plus his brother Craig is a local firefighter and works closely with the air ambulance as well.
"It's a great cause and it has to be self-funded and gets no government funding, so the more money we can get it, the better.
"We know Joe will be there in spirit, leading us along the course, and there'll be lots of his friends there and his family, so it'll be a great day."
