Thirty one County Historic Churches Trusts, all registered charities and grant making bodies to Christian churches and chapels in use, organise within their own counties, a Sponsored Bike Ride (for pedal cyclists and walkers only). This takes place on the second Saturday in September each year. The basic principle is that 50% of sponsorship money raised goes to the church or chapel chosen by the participant, with the other 50% going to the respective County Trust.

Participants plan their own routes, with the assistance of each county’s printed list of churches and chapels open and manned on the day. They may of course, cross county borders. Riders and walkers ask their relations, friends and colleagues to sponsor them - so much for each church or chapel they visit between 10am and 6pm on the day. This is recorded on a special sponsor form, and participants can take part for as long or short a time, within the day, as is convenient for them.

The objective is to raise money for the participants’ County Trust and the church or chapel of their choice, the money raised being divided equally between them.

In fact, the more people from outside church congregations that take part the more successful we shall be in arousing new interest in, and support for, our heritage of church buildings.

The Ride started in Suffolk in 1982 and now, 31 counties are taking part. Together we have jointly raised in excess of £6.5 million - last year we jointly raised over £1 million.

The day arrives and participants can ‘clock in’ at their first church from 10am onwards. They will have their sponsor forms initialled with the name of the church and the time, whilst the rider signs in on a numbered list. A quick look around, perhaps, and then off to the next church or chapel. As times goes by, riders become hotter and the church’s offer of a cooling drink will be appreciated. By 6pm the last keen riders will have signed the register, leaving many churches with over 50 names.

The riders then send, or take, their sponsorship forms, now showing how many churches or chapels they have visited, to their sponsors who reward them according to the undertaking made. The riders then give the forms and the money raised to their local organiser, who sends it to the respective County Ride Treasurer. He adds everything up, banks the money, and sends each church or chapel its share.

A rider who has 20 sponsors at 10p per church, and visit 20 churches, will have raised £40. 20 such riders would raise £800 which would mean £400 for the Trust and £400 for their local church or chapel. An experienced rider can visit 30 churches or more and, with good sponsorship, can raise a considerable sum.

SAFETY ON THE ROADS IS PARAMOUNT and although Organisers cannot be responsible for the riders, they do all they can to encourage safe riding by REMINDING RIDERS NOT TO SACRIFICE SAFETY FOR SPEED.

IT IS A VERY HAPPY DAY, ENJOYED BY THOUSANDS - JOIN US AND SEE FOR YOURSELF

N.B. It is a condition of participation that, save to the extent required by law, the County Trusts accept no liability in respect of death or injury sustained by a participant).