MORE than 1,200 cyclists descended upon Farnham on Sunday last week for the 10th annual Charity Bike Ride & Sportive.

Castle Street became a bike-only road for the day, with four scenic routes marshalled and stocked with thousands of bottles of water, fig rolls and treats from Slice of Pie. Volunteers helped set the stage for another epic ride through the surrounding countryside.

Refreshment stops were manned by volunteers from Potters Gate C of E Primary School, St Andrew’s School, VeloSocial Cycling Club and the 41 Club, with Hogs Back Brewery supplying free beer!

Completing the 16-mile route and pulling a trailer with two children was Alice MacKenzie, while 11-year-old Abi Lawrence completed the 75-mile sportive route accompanied by her dad and 72-year-old grandad. Another rider, Mark Berezicki, completed the course in a gorilla outfit to raise money for the charity Mind.

Matt Chisnall, who led the organising team for the second year, said: “It was always going to be difficult to top last year’s event but I think we did it.

“Everyone who finished said how much they loved the routes and how well we look after the riders. Well done to everyone who helped make this happen. Special mention to the Farnham Round Table, St Andrew’s PTA and our main sponsor, MPM Property Maintenance.”

• See next week’s Herald for a spread of biking pictures.