MORE than a thousand cyclists of all ages again descended on Castle Street last Sunday as the Farnham Charity Bike Ride returned for a sixth year.

The year’s event offered a choice of four courses ranging in length from 16 to 75 miles through the Surrey and Hampshire countryside, and raised well over £20,000 for an array of charities and good causes.

Among those taking part was nine-year-old Abi Lawrence who cycled 50 miles with her dad Richard and 70-year-old granddad, while 10-year-old Callis Wetherall also completed the 50-mile route in his Tour de France-inspired polkadot ‘King of the Mountains’ jersey having travelled all the way from Worcestershire with his family.

Another, James Kindell completed the 75-mile route just 15 weeks after open heart surgery, prompting emotional scenes when he crossed the finish line.

Perhaps the day’s youngest rider, six-year-old Beatrice Lewis-Verebelyi rode 16 miles with her sister, Miranda, mum Rebecca and dad Gabor, and Andrew Leishman was the first man home on the 75-mile route, completing the gruelling course in less than four hours.

St Andrew’s School children handed out medals and the free velo pack from the event’s sponsors WyndyMilla and Castle Street was full of stalls including fellow sponsors Nuffield Health as well as Frensham Brewery, Hop Art Brewery and In2Training offering a watt bike challenge to win a free month’s membership.

In a letter to this week’s Herald, organiser Emma Drinkwater said: “On behalf of the Farnham Charity Bike Ride, I would like to say a massive thanks to the people of Farnham for being so supportive of a local event.

“We had more than 1,000 riders go through the centre of Farnham early on Sunday morning, and the sun shone throughout the day for us.

“The support and smiles of volunteers and marshals was outstanding and without them this event wouldn’t happen. Their dedication deserves a special mention.”

Since its debut in 2011, the Farnham Charity Bike Ride has raised more than £120,000 for local charities and the organisers aim to continue that with the next ride on July 2, 2017.