Spooktacular Success for Charity Night Ride

Some 250 cyclists took to the Tarka Trail on Saturday night in North Devon’s first ever Spooky Cycle event, raising a remarkable £20,000 for Calvert Trust Exmoor.

Eager participants braved the cold in an impressive array of weird and wonderful costumes to ride their illuminated bikes and really put the ‘fun’ into fundraising for the North Devon disability charity.

With two cycling routes to choose from, the Hallowe’en weekend event was aimed at all ages and abilities and offered a healthy alternative to trick-or-treating. In total, 24 families, 25 teams and 45 individuals took part, with just over half electing to ride the 30-mile route to Torrington and back, and the remaining riders cycling the shorter route to Chivenor and back.

Entrants were requested to open a JustGiving page or seek sponsorship from friends and relatives to help raise much-needed funds for Calvert Trust Exmoor, with a prize going to the biggest fundraiser.

Event partner, Barnstaple Rugby Football Club supplied riders and non-riding supporters with hot food throughout the evening as well as a licensed bar. For those of us still clinging on to Summer, Tennacott Farm Dairy was serving luxury ice creams, and Plastic Free North Devon was on hand to top up riders’ bottles with their water bar. Local live acts The Velvet Onion, Give Way and Terry Bond provided musical entertainment alongside a range of stall holders, from Bubblekicks South West to North Devon Bat Care, amongst others. Party-goers also got to enjoy Hallowe’en themed family games, and enter a raffle with some truly fantastic prizes donated from the likes of Exeter Chiefs and celebrity chef Michael Caines.

Prizes were also awarded by the organisers for best costume, best decorated ‘lid’, and most illuminated rider.

“Thank you for organising such a great event. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would love to take part in other events you may be planning. The children thought it was brilliant!” said Samantha Clark, one of the Spooky Cycle participants.

More than 50 volunteers, from ghost riders and marshals to games hosts and stall holders, donated their time to help ensure the event was a success, with particular help from local Rotarians who marshalled both routes.

Hosted by the Calvert Trust Exmoor’s Fundraising team, the Spooky Cycle event was kindly sponsored by Isca Barum Insurance Brokers and The Big Lottery Fund, with support from Barnstaple Rugby Football Club and Devon County Council, as well as Nationwide Building Society, Lineal, and Jewsons Pottington Branch amongst others.

As well as promoting the Spooky Cycle in the weeks prior, official radio partner The Voice FM brought the event to life with their spooky music, compering, a pre-cycle warm-up and spooky entertainment on the start & finish line. They also presented each and every rider with their Spooky Cycle medal as they crossed the finish line.

Lisa Palmer, one of the spooky cyclists tweeted: “Brilliant time at the #spookycycle race today. Already deciding what to wear next year!”

Event organiser Daisy Hockin said, “We have been overwhelmed with the support from the local community and generosity of local businesses. Thanks to all the places that stayed open for us along the routes, and special thanks to Torrington Cycle Hire! I can’t wait to get next year’s event into the diary.”

It’s not too late to contribute to Spooky Cycle fundraising via one of the riders’ JustGiving pages here: https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/SpookyCycle2018Team

If you can spare a few hours a week and would like more information about volunteering opportunities at Calvert Trust Exmoor, contact: volunteer@calvert-trust.org.uk

 

                 

Photo credits: Simon Ellery / Calvert Trust Exmoor

 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals and organisations for all their help towards the Spooky Cycle >>>

Sponsors/partners:
Big Lottery Fund
Isca Barum Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Nationwide Building Society (Barnstaple)
Lineal

The Voice
Barnstaple Rugby Football Club
Devon County Council

The Bike Shed
Jewson (Pottington)
Asda
Tesco

Volunteers from:
Bideford Bridge Rotary Club
Barnstaple Link Rotary Club
Bideford Tarka Rotary Rotary Club
Barnstaple Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Braunton Caen
Barnstaple Inner Wheel
Barnstaple WI
The Voice
Calvert Trust Exmoor

Plus:
Sally Hockin
Joe Byrne
Amy Rolfe
Steve Woodward
Di Barnes
Melissa Swinkels
Jason Swinkels
Heather Griffin
Joanna Brown
Abigail Knill
Mark Barker
Sarah Bromley

Places that stayed open along the trail:
Torrington Cycle Hire
Braunton Inn
Tarka Diner
Bake and Brew
Fremington Quay Cafe for the use of their outside toilet

Indoor musical entertainment:
The Velvet Onion
Give Way
Terry Bond

Stall holders:
Bubblekicks Southwest
Clean Crops, North Devon, UK
Trace’s Face’s
North Devon Bat Care
Tennacott Farm Dairy – Luxury Handmade Ice Cream
Plastic Free North Devon

Prizes and raffle prizes donated:
2 Exeter Chiefs Official tickets
2 Somerset County Cricket Club tickets
£100 voucher for The Farmers Arms Woolsery
2 North Devon Show tickets
2 tickets to Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
2 carveries at The Westleigh Inn
2 18 holes at Portmore Golf Park
2 18 holes at Royal North Devon Golf Courseolf Course
A signed Michael Caines cookbook
Dracula’s Delight relish and chutneys from Pivnita Bunicii
2 tickets for The BIG Sheep Family Attraction
2 tickets for Quince Honey Farm
Bundle from Thatchers Cider
Voucher for Runway Hair Salon
Vouchers for Funderzone Barnstaple
Vouchers for Crazy Golf in Woolacombe
Cream tea for 2 at Trimstone Manor Country House Hotel 
Shirt from Madison Genesis Cycling Team