10 reasons why you should sign up to this year's LCL Bike Ride

The historic LCL (Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool) Bike Ride is back on Sunday 4^th July 2021. Here’s 10 reasons why you should sign up to take part in one of the first mass participation events to take place in the UK this year.

Reason 1 – Pedal for Purpose

Every year, thousands of cycling fanatics enter the LCL Bike Ride to champion their community and raise much needed funds for their chosen charities. They’ve been supporting various charities over 27 years, raising an estimated £500,000+ over the past 10 years alone!

This year, they’re proud to celebrate partnerships with The Bobby Colleran Trust, North West Air Ambulance, St Paul’s Eye Unit, Cycling Projects charity and other incredible causes!

So download a sponsorship form, or set up a JustGiving fundraising page in aid of your cause; strap that helmet on and get ready to raise some funds!

Reason 2 – Famous Tunnel Ride

Did you know that Merseytravel is a long standing partner of the historic LCL Bike Ride? Every year, the famous Queensway tunnel is closed for the start and family ride, so you get to experience the unique thrill of riding through the tunnel, traffic free!

Ferry across the Mersey no more – whiz under the Mersey on your bike!

Reason 3 – Join From a Distance

Can’t make it on the day, or unsure you are comfortable joining a major event yet? Don’t worry! You can still sign up for the LCL Virtual Challenge!

Pick your distance, receive your t-shirt & medal through the post; pick a beautiful route or jump onto that spinning bike the go and conquer those miles! You can upload your time onto the leadership board.

Whether you do your virtual challenge on the event day, before or after – anything goes.

Smile at the knowledge of so many people virtually cheering you on and give a quick wave to the cyclists you pass. Who knows, they might be doing the LCL too!

Reason 4 – Gotta Get Them All

How many have you collected to date? As part of your registration, you will receive the 2021 LCL Bike Ride rider t-shirt and your unique rider number by post, as well as the sought-after official medal when you reach the finish at Exchange Flags.

Medals have become genuine collectors’ items and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might see some participants on the day that bring their collection along. Some have been riding the famous routes for a whopping 27 years!

Reason 5 – It’s For Everyone

Whether you are a seasoned cycling pro, looking for a fun day out with the kids, or are an aspiring cyclist getting to grips with the cycling way of life, then come along and enjoy the buzz! LCL Bike Ride is also a cool training ride for any upcoming cycling challenges you have.

LCL Bike Ride is an all-ability and inclusive event, with multiple routes, distances (from 5 to 100 miles for hardcore fans) and even ‘virtual’ options to choose from. This means that everyone gets to experience the thrill of participating in a major cycling event and being part of the LCL Community.

They also work closely with partners at Cycling Projects who are able to provide or advise you on adapted bikes, guided rides and much more!

PS – under 15’s ride Free of charge with an accompanying adult.

Reason 6 – Look After Your Mental Health and Take Care For Bobby

Strong evidence found in recent studies suggest that on or off-road cycling can improve mental wellbeing and is a fantastic way to de-stress, manage anxiety and clear the mind of worries (learn more here).

The iconic LCL Bike Ride provides the perfect social environment to improve moods, increase motivation and feel part of a caring community. Whilst putting the pedal to pavement, you’ll soon focus on the stunning surroundings on-route, and feel the roars of motivation alongside like-minded peers.

The LCL 2021 charity, The Bobby Colleran Trust, recently launched their #TakeCareForBobby campaign to support children and young people’s mental wellbeing. Their mission is to raise £100,000 to open a specialist wellbeing and bereavement centre to support our young people, as well as continue to provide much required sessions in our schools.

Reason 7 – Celebrate Thank You Day

Hands up if you are itching to participate in a major event again?!

The LCL Bike Ride will be one of THE first major events to take place since Covid-19 entered our worlds and lockdowns began, so it will be a hugely exciting thing to be one of the first to whizz through the streets of Liverpool, Wirral and Chester alongside thousands of riders.

Places are limited to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment so make sure you register as soon as possible as we will not be able to take bookings on the day this year.

The last year has been extremely tough for many of us and now, more than ever we are looking forward to celebrate our community coming back together once again.

Sunday 4^th July will be officially dubbed #ThankYouDay to celebrate our incredible Covid Heroes, so get on your bike, join in the festivities and raise some funds.

Reason 8 – For The Love Of Cycling

Calling all cycling fanatics! Choose your challenge and conquer those miles on Sunday 4^th July.

Keep your eyes peeled and marvel at the most weird and wonderful bikes that will be riding alongside you.

This year, LCL Bike Ride has partnered with St Paul’s Eye Unit who have an extraordinary team of cyclists taking part in the ride on their beloved Lucie – a quad-tandem all the way from the US. They’ll be taking on the 50M Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool challenge to raise awareness for visual impairment, sight loss and the inspiring (inter)national work & research they do from their HQ based in Liverpool.

Reason 9 – Free Kids Places and 5 Miles for a Fiver

Yes you heard that right- LCL Bike Ride has teamed up with Huyton Asphalt and HA Civils to ensure kids under 15 can ride free of charge with a paying adult. They’ve also reduced the fee for the family ride so its only £5 to join in! It’s the perfect day our for the whole family, with lots of activities at the finish festival site at Exchange Flags and at the mid-way point at Countess of Chester park.

Local community champions Huyton Asphalt are a family run national company based in St. Helens, and recently celebrated 50 years in business. Their focus on community, sustainability and environmentally-conscious awareness highlights their commitment to going the extra mile, every time. This is reflected in the quality of work, and their commitment to supporting their local communities through schools engagement, work placement and supporting events that create and help drive major social impact such as the much loved LCL Bike Ride.

The guys at HA are also doing a major call-out for corporate teams to participate and raise much needed funds for The Bobby Colleran Trust; so if you think your colleagues or company would be interested in getting involved, then get in touch or support them through their JustGiving page.

Reason 10 – The Finish Village

We can finally announce that Exchange Flags ‘Summer In The Square’ festival will be the host of the LCL Bike Ride finish!

Whizz through the finish gantry whilst being cheered on by your friends, family and peers, collect your medal from the dedicated stand, park your bike at the secure NCP bike carpark and kick back & relax over your favourite beer or cocktail. Hosted by epic DJ sets and with a fab range of local food traders.

There will be activities to join in to for everyone, so even if you are not riding, pop down and cheer our incredible riders on!