The first ‘Tonya’s Bike Ride’ took place in 2000. The Southwell Care Project had just been set up to support adults with learning disabilities in a rural community. With very little in the way of funds, one of the Project’s clients, Tonya Hinds decided that she and her grandmother (and main carer), Beryl, would have to do something about it. Together they set up a bike ride in the hope of raising £100. With about 30 riders they raised £1,000 and the die had been cast for an ongoing event. They went on to organise 5 further bike rides each attracting about 30 riders and all raising up to £2,000 for the Project.

In 2007, due to her health, Tonya had to stop riding her bike and along came Anna Joyce. Anna had, in 1995, founded the ‘Viking Challenge’, a 30 mile off-road bike ride in the Vale of Belvoir. This event grew quickly and still, 13 years later, attracts over 1,000 hardy participants each year. Anna now lives in Southwell and when The Care Project approached her with a view to continuing and expanding Tonya’s Bike Ride she felt that, with their enthusiastic team already in place, she could contribute her experience and help to create an equally exciting complementary event in this area earlier in the year.

And so the new Tonya’s was born in 2008 with 300 riders.

Over 500 took part in 2009 and we hope for 800 this year as the event consolidates its position as a major addition to the UK off-road scene.

This year is particularly poignant as Tonya’s Grandmother, Beryl, died suddenly last September but we hope our event will be a lasting tribute to her and that Tonya will be strong enough to officially start the event as she has done previously.   

Shorter distances remain for families and younger riders but the 20 mile and killer 37 mile options are fantastic. The routes have been designed by local mountain bike enthusiast Simon Carr who has an immense knowledge of trails around Nottinghamshire, many of them a closely guarded secret. The trails are, in parts, visually stunning and, although challenging, fast times are definitely achievable in the right conditions.

Anna and Simon’s experience guarantee this will always be a professionally run event as good as any currently in the UK. A great atmosphere, full support, demo bikes and plenty of refreshment stops means that you should not miss this one.

Beryl & Tonya

Anna

Simon