DERBYSHIRE: Pelican wings into action for charity ride

Pictured is Neil Armitage, of Chesterfield's Pelican Cycles, which is sponsoring the Derbyshire Times and Pelican Flagg Cycle Challenge for Ashgate Hospice.

Neil Armitage, of Pelican Cycles, on Old Road, Brampton, Chesterfield, has always embraced a sporting test since his passion for running turned to half-marathons and full marathons and his love for cycling has seen him rolling out along the length of the UK and into France.

The keen cycle time-triallist said: “I have been delighted to help organise and support this year’s Ashgate Hospice ride. Everyone has such an affection for this charity and I know so many people who have had relatives cared for at the hospice that it is an honour just to have been asked to be involved.”

Neil’s sporting endeavours have included the former Chesterfield Half-Marathon, Sheffield Half-Marathon and the London Marathon and he has also cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats as part of a charity group fundraiser and helped raise thousands of pounds for Ashgate Hospice.

He added: “I have a lot of experience of long distance cycling and understand how to approach it. I understand how to tailor a bike to people’s needs and uses whether its commuting, racing, time-trialling, sportives or touring. I can look at everything so customers get everything they need to enjoy their cycling.”

Pelican also caters for runners thanks to Neil’s depth of sporting experience.

Alison Ward-Foster, of Ashgate Hospice, said: “It’s fantastic to have a top local business helping us to promote this great event personally and financially. To have a sponsor who is such an expert in the same field as the event itself is a real boost and we’re very grateful to have Pelican on board.”

The Flagg Challenge includes a choice of two rides for fundraisers - a 50 mile hilly sportive and a 10 mile fun ride for more modest cyclists.

The 50 mile ride rolls out from 9.30am, on Sunday, on July 28, from Ashgate Hospice, on Ashgate Road, Brampton, and goes through Newbold and Cutthorpe, to Baslow, Ashford-in-the-Water, Sheldon, Flagg, Monyash, Middleton, Elton, Birchover, Stanton-in-the-Peak, Rowsley, Chatsworth, Edensor, back to Baslow and Cutthrope and home again to the hospice for soup-and-a-roll.

Those interested can get a £20 entry form, sponsor sheets and map by visiting http://www.ashgatehospicevents.co.uk/bike/bike.htm or can contact Emily Evans, at Ashgate Hospice, on (01246) 568801 or [email protected], or Derbyshire Times’ reporter Jon Cooper on (01246) 504524 or [email protected] or Neil Armitage at Pelican Cycles on (01246) 767078 or [email protected]. Riders are also welcome to sign-on on the day.