Registration deadline looming for the PLOD - Cotswold Way

The first of the Action Medical Research midnight walking events known as the PLOD takes place on the 8 June through the Cotswolds.

Starting at midnight, walkers will walk 40-miles across the Cotswolds raise vital funds for Action Medical Research.

Registration for the PLOD - Cotswold Way closes on Wednesday 6 June 2012 and for a short time only, you can register for 50% off by using the voucher code PLOD12 when registering.

If you can't make the Cotswold Way PLOD, don't worry, we have other midnight overnight PLOD walking events including the Trossachs, South Downs Way, Mourne Mountains and Rutland.

Half price registration is available on all the PLODs so register now using the voucher code PLOD12.

Here's what some of our previous midnight walkers had to say:

"It was great! I enjoyed the night walking, seeing the sun rise and the stunning scenery en route. The enthusiasm of the team welcoming us at the finish was great!"
Team STG

"I just wanted to say how amazing this walk really was and so pleased our team came through to the end with a huge achievement of finishing."
Pompey Plodders

"Thanks for everything, we had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves."
Gerry O'Donnell of the Captain Donegal Danderers

"The route was set in some of the most stunning scenery. It was a very well organised event with great support we are all glad we participated, and to raise £2894.58 for a really worthwhile cause which made it even more of an amazing achievement."
The Perth Plodders

Positive reviews from the 2012 Suffolk Sunrise 100

On 13 May 2012, just under 1,000 riders set out on either a 100km or 100-mile cycle ride through the Suffolk countryside to raise vital funds for Action Medical Research in the Suffolk Sunrise 100 sportive ride.

The weather was as good as could for our cyclists with the rainy weather gone, the sun was out and the day warmed up nicely.

Bruce McEwen of the North Norfolk Wheelers posted his thoughts on the Suffolk ride on the North Norfolk Wheelers website.

"Suffolk was a useful challenge this year over a delightful course through a picturesque  landscape, all the better for that sunny break in the weather."
Bruce McEwen - see full review

20% off all RIDE 100 series during the Jubilie celebrations

Action Medical Research are offering 20% off the registration fee for all RIDE 100 series rides.

The offer starts today and ends midnight 5 June as the Jubilie celebration comes to an end.

The RIDE 100 series is made up of bike rides across the UK with 100-mile and 100km routes available. All the cycle rides are chip timed and full mechanic support helping take the stress of any mechanical failures out of your day in the saddle. All the rides are full signed as well as GPX files being provided prior to the event if you wish to follow your GPS.

The rides also feature feed stations and lunch stops to help keep you hydrated and energy levels up to complete the ride.

Last Few Places up for grabs in Peak District 100

Last few places up for grabs at children’s charity’s toughest cycling challenge yet

Children’s charity invites cycling enthusiasts to grab the last few places for one of its toughest bike challenges on Sunday 10 June in the Peak District.

Peak District 100 is Action Medical Research’s toughest cycling challenge and attracts keen and passionate cyclists from all over the country.

The ride sets out from the outskirts of Sheffield and takes cyclists on a challenging tour of the beautiful National Park.

Participants will chart some of the most demanding cycling terrain in England as they tackle numerous climbs and descents but be rewarded by stunning scenery and a fantastic sense of achievement.

Follow the Action Medical Research End2End riders across the UK

As is now custom with the Action Medical Research Lands End to John O'Groats bike ride, the UK End2End, rider tracking is available through an interactive Google map updated by our riders through Twitter.

Follow their End2End progress at http://end2end.action.org.uk/

Davina McCall returns for DIVA 100 and raises £60,000

TV’s Davina McCall along with almost 400 women-cyclists raised over £60,000 when they took to the saddle again for a women-only bike ride for a children’s charity on Sunday 13 May.

Davina McCall has been involved with Action Medical Research since she was a little girl and added: “This is one of my favourite days in the year! I get to hang out with great women, get fit, eat loads guilt free and raise money for Action Medical Research, a charity that means so much to me.”

The sun shone brightly as cyclists participating in Action Medical Research’s DIVA 100 Sussex 2012’s bike ride set off from Cowdray Park Golf Club in Midhurst.

Launched in 2011, the first ride saw as many ladies of all cycling abilities take part, raising thousands for Horsham-based children’s charity Action Medical Research.

The Independent London2Brighton ride - 8 September 2012

The Independent London2Brighton ride returns for its third year. Starting in London at the new start point at Dulwich College (West Dulwich, SE21 7LD), the route heads out of London in the Surrey and Sussex countryside. The route takes you down to Ditchling Beacon where you will cross the finish line on the Brighton seafront.

The route is 60 miles long with a total of 754m of climbing. There are two feed stations on the route to keep you fed and hydrated.

Register online for The Independent London2Brighton ride

The ride is supported by The Independent and High5 Sports Nutrition.

Suffolk Sunrise 100 2012 complete

Last weekend saw the Suffolk Sunrise 100 take place, starting from Framlingham College in Woodbridge.

Over 900 riders took to their bikes to ride on either the 100-mile or the 100km routes. The sun was out and the weather was perfect for a ride alongside hundreds of fellow cyclists.

Results from the 2012 Suffolk Sunrise 100 are now online on the Action Medical Research website, they can be viewed on the Suffolk Sunrise 100 2012 rider times web page.

Davina McCall urges the girls to join the DIVA100 series

As Davina McCall saddles up for DIVA 100 bike ride in Sussex on 13 May, she urges women-cyclists to sign up for Action Medical Research's DIVA 100 rides and join in raising valuable funds for her favourite charity.

LETTER TO EDITORS FROM DAVINA MCCALL

Dear Editor,

Readers may be used to seeing me on the telly but I can also regularly be spotted on my bike. Yes, believe it or not, I’m a dedicated convert to road cycling and I’m passionate about encouraging more women to take to the saddle.

Riding for charity has been a great motivator for me. I find it very rewarding.

One charity which is very close to my heart is Action Medical Research. This children’s charity is currently looking for lady riders to join its popular DIVA 100 series in May. I would like to encourage your female readers – whether they are already regular riders or newbies looking for a great challenge – to consider taking part.

I’ve been involved with Action Medical Research since I was a little girl, and can certainly vouch for them. This wonderful charity funds research into many diseases and conditions that affect babies and children in the UK.

I am saddling up for the DIVA 100 in Sussex on 13 May setting out from Cowdray Park in Midhurst but the rides are also taking place in Scotland on 20 May and Warwickshire on 27 May.

All the DIVA 100s offer a choice of two circular countryside routes, a 100km challenge or a shorter 50km course for those looking to take it a little bit easier.

Launched in 2011, the first ride saw more than 500 ladies of all cycling abilities taking part and raised more than £95,000 for children’s charity Action Medical Research, which is based in Horsham.

Enjoying a great day out is key at the DIVA 100 rides so be rest assured you will be well looked after every inch of the way! Mechanics will be on hand to help with any technical difficulties and volunteers will welcome you at the well-stocked rest stops where you can refuel.

So why not grab a group of girlie mates and join the friendly group?

Most importantly, every mile pedalled will help sick babies and children.

To find out more and to register visit http://www.action.org.uk/diva or call Sarah Stevenson on 01273 735788.

Yours faithfully,

Davina McCall,
London

Phil Spencer tells you why RIDE100 is his "favourite bicycle experience of the whole year"

As Phil Spencer gears up for Castle Ride 100 on 20 May, he speaks of the whys and wherefores of his fondness for Action Medical Research. He encourages all cycling enthusiasts to grab the last few places remaining and help make valuable difference to the lives of babies and children.

LETTER TO EDITORS FROM PHIL SPENCER

Dear Editor,

Although readers may be more accustomed to seeing me pop up on the telly - over the last twelve months I’m just as likely to be spotted out on my bike. I’m now a dedicated convert to road cycling and love encouraging more people to take to the saddle.

Not only is it a fantastic sport, its one of the very few in which absolutely everyone, of all ages and ability, can take part in and enjoy doing together. I've been out for rides with my wife, my kids, my Mum as well as friends and work colleagues. It really is a sport for everyone!

Challenging yourself physically and raising money for a worthwhile cause are both motivating and rewarding experiences - if this can be done whilst having a good time riding a bike amongst friends in beautiful scenery then so much the better!

One charity which I have recently got to know is children’s charity Action Medical Research. They are currently looking for riders to join their popular RIDE 100 series, which has over 20 rides to choose from across the country this year.

I would like to encourage your readers – both regular riders and newbies, looking for a great challenge, to consider taking part.

I’ve been closely involved with Action Medical Research since I took part in the Castle Ride in Kent in 2011, and have since become extremely passionate about their work. This wonderful charity has been funding vital research for 60 years to help sick babies, children with disabilities and those suffering from a rare disease.

I am saddling up for the Castle Ride in Kent this summer on 20 May, setting out from Tonbridge Castle. It's my favourite bicycle experience of the whole year.

It really is a stunning ride, taking in the North Downs and loads of quiet lanes through the county. Its incredibly well organised, attracts over 1,000 riders and is supported by first class medical support, mechanical services and a sweep vehicle.

All the RIDE 100s offer a choice of two countryside routes, a 100-mile challenge or a shorter 100km route course for those looking to take it a little bit easier (like me!). It's not a race and most people tackle it in a pretty relaxed fashion.

Enjoying a great day out is key on the RIDE 100 series so rest assured you will be looked after every inch of the way! One of the aspects I particularly appreciated about it last year was that the route is fully signed and also that volunteers welcome you at the various rest stops with wonderful snacks. There are plenty of drinks/lunch stops.

So why not grab a group of mates and join me for a great spring ride?

It really is a great day out!

Most importantly, every mile pedalled will help sick babies and children.

To find out more and to register visit www.action.org.uk/castle or call Sarah Stevenson on 01273 735788.

Yours faithfully,

Phil Spencer
Tunbridge Wells