JULIA BRADBURY LAUNCHES ‘THE CHALLENGE’

With the world’s greatest cycling race coming to Britain in 2014, The Camping and Caravanning Club is celebrating its cycling heritage and the ‘Year of the Bike’ by announcing its cycle-camp challenge.

The initiative has been launched by the Club’s first female Club President and television presenter, Julia Bradbury, at The Caravan & Camping Show at the NEC, Birmingham.

Cycling is an activity that is frequently enjoyed by campers on Club Sites across the whole of the UK and is also inextricably linked with the Club’s history.

Its founding member, Thomas Hiram-Holding, was himself a cycle-camper and established a Club that has expanded from just six members in 1901, to more than half a million enthusiastic campers and caravanners over a century later.

And so, to celebrate its heritage, a team from the Club will take on a six-day cycling challenge during National Camping and Caravanning Week (Monday, 26 May to Sunday 1 June).
Starting at Wantage, the site of the Club’s inaugural meeting, the cycle-campers will ride up the country, taking in key points of the UK leg of the world’s greatest cycling race, pitching up at Club Sites, Certificated Sites and Club Meets along the way.

And in true Club spirit, all of the riders undertaking ‘The Challenge’ have agreed to wear traditional cycling clothing, like Hiram-Holding and friends, throughout the six days – think tweed, bloomers and breeches!

Julia Bradbury will lead the riders over the finishing line at the Club’s National Camping and Caravanning Week event at its Scarborough campsite on Friday, 30 May.

She said: “As cycling is such a prominent part of the Club’s history, and particularly as it’s such a popular year for the sport, it seems fitting that we celebrate the Club’s heritage and experience camping as Hiram-Holding would have done himself.”

Robert Louden, the Club’s Director General, added: “Cycling is an activity that is extremely popular with our members – in fact we’ve already seen a 258 per cent increase in the number of advance bookings from July 5-7 on our Club Sites that are close to the UK leg of the world’s most popular cycling race!

 “I wish our team all the best of luck for ‘The Challenge’ – I may even join them and ride the final leg myself!”

The Club will be raising money for cycling charity, Sustrans, who are also in attendance at The Caravan & Camping Show.

Kate Jones, National Events Fundraiser at Sustrans said: “With over 14,500 miles of quiet cycle routes on the National Cycle Network, it’s easier than ever before for campers to reach their favourite campsites by bike. Fundraising events like the ‘The Challenge’ are crucial to ensure these routes are maintained and developed.

“Over recent years cycle tourism has been gaining popularity across the UK. It’s fantastic that The Camping and Caravanning club embracing their cycling heritage and promoting cycling as a viable way to explore the country."

Other supporters of The Challenge and National Camping and Caravanning Week include Outwell, Halfords and The Coventry Transport Museum.  

Clive Garrett, at Outwell, also added: “Cycling and camping played an important role in our social history, opening up previously unheard of opportunities for spending healthy leisure time in the great outdoors. We aim to help everyone enjoy that continuing experience and welcome the chance to join the Club in celebrating these two great pastimes that bring so much pleasure to so many people.”  

Watch out for more for more information on The Challenge on the Club’s website: www.nccw.co.uk

Ends

For further media information or images, please contact:

Kimberley Keay, 024 7647 5224, 07951 153074, Kimberley.keay@thefriendlyclub.co.uk

Notes for Editors

1.    The Camping and Caravanning Club is 112-years-old and is the largest and oldest Club in the world for all forms of camping. It has 110 award-winning sites throughout the UK and, through a partnership with the Forestry Commission, now runs and manages a further 17 Camping in the Forest touring sites.
2.    www.realrichness.co.uk was launched on Monday, April 18, 2011.  
3.    www.newtocamping.co.uk incorporates all forms of outdoor holidays.
4.    Outwell has an enviable worldwide reputation for the design and supply of award-winning innovative family camping equipment. Sister brands include Robens lightweight technical camping equipment and Easy Camp. For details visit www.outwell.com or email Clive Garrett cga@oase-outdoors.com

Tags: