The annual 3 Counties Cycle Ride (3CCR) recently bought 400 enthusiastic cyclists together again in Bracknell, Berkshire to raise money for local charities.
Organised by Easthampstead Rotary Club, there were 15, 33 and 54-mile routes available for everyone taking part that went through three counties: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
The event was supported by Berkshire Bikes’ Chris Reilly as a mobile mechanic and there was a rescue vehicle being driven by Jon Rodella with Easthampstead Rotarian James Strugnell riding shotgun making sure there were no serious incidents.
The event was started back in 1983 by Bracknell Rotaract, originally as a one-off event to raise money for a new St. John’s Ambulance, and its first edition of the 3CCR raised over £10,000 – a record for any Rotaract club that year.
The next 40 years saw many participants taking on the routes in weird and wonderful ways such as on tandem bikes, penny farthings and with three people sitting on the same bike.
Easthampstead Rotary has since taken over the organisation of the 3CCR and estimates that, over the years, the event has raised well over £600,000 for various charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital, Heatherwood Hospital Maternity Unit and a variety of cancer charities.
This year, the event aimed to raise funds for the WAYZ youth centre in Bracknell and the WADE day centre for the over-60s in Wokingham as well as Easthampstead Rotary Club.
Garth Hill College acted as hosts for the event, the cyclists starting and finishing their routes at Bracknell College, and marshals were provided by local Rotary clubs, the 1st Emmbrook Scout Group and local Girl guiding members.
Derek New, who now heads up the 3CCR SG, commented: “Thanks to TREK Bicycle Bracknell, who again sponsored this year’s event, more funds from the ride will go to our chosen charities.”
