Popular charity ride continues to honour memory of young Wolverhampton cyclist
The annual ride in memory of a young cyclist will hit the streets of Wolverhampton once again.
Riders of ages and abilities are set to hit the saddle and tackle a series of challenging courses in memory of a much-loved and much-missed cyclist.
The tenth 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, July 19 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 or, for the first time, a special 44-mile gravel course, which starts and finishes at Aldersley Stadium and will take in a feeding station stop at RAF Cosford.
The event will also include members of Wolverhampton Wheelers, for whom Joe was a member, as well as members of his family, and Wolverhampton Wheelers president Hugh Porter will be there to send the riders on their way.
He said that while the event was a poignant occasion, it was always a great way to remember a young man who had so much potential.
He said: “It means a lot and it’s always proved to be popular as Joe was so nicely thought of and to lose his life so young was so tragic as he never really got to fulfil his cycling potential and he loved cycling with the Wheelers.
“The event shows how highly he was thought of as the cycling community is a big family and they all turn out to show their love and respect to his family, including his brother Craig, who rides the event.
“It must give them a wonderful feeling to see all those people that turn up to do the event.”
Mr Porter said more than £40,000 had been raised for the Air Ambulance over the nine previous events and said people could still register for the event up to and including the day of the ride.
He said it was still lovely to be able to run the event and said Joe would be there in spirit.
He said: “Oh, he’ll definitely be there in spirit, on his bike, and I’ll be there with Anita waving the flag to see people off.
“We’re happy to give it as much support as we can and long may it continue.”
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