A new Cycle Route will link all 42 Church of England cathedrals in a new initiative to promote greener travel and mental and physical wellbeing.
The 2000 mile Cathedrals Cycle Route is the invention of academic, entrepreneur and cyclist Shaun Cutler from Northumbria University.
The new route, supported by a new partnership between Sustrans, Cycling UK, the British Pilgrimage Trust and the Association of English Cathedrals, will be launched by a relay ride with a specially commissioned baton, passing along to different groups of cyclists at each Cathedral who can join the ride for as little or as long as they like.
Cyclists Shaun Cutler, Anne Locke and Paul Martin will be cycling the route from Guildford, Chichester and on to Portsmouth. The trio will arrive at Chichester Cathedral with the baton in the afternoon of Saturday 19th June, where they will be greeted by the Canon Chancellor, the Reverend Dr Daniel Inman who will light a special candle as they depart.
Each Cathedral will also have a dedicated cycle champion to improve the cycle-readiness of their buildings, ensure a warm welcome for visiting cyclists and increase the number that arrive on two wheels – currently around five per cent.
Further information can be found on the Association of English Cathedrals' website >>
Track the baton
Image: Francis and Elaine Wainaina