On Sunday 14 May, the Penlee Sportive will return for its second year, raising funds for the RNLI’s Mayday campaign, as the charity cycle event tests riders around the west coast of Cornwall.
With a choice of three different routes, the fundraising event will take two wheeled enthusiasts through the scenic Cornish landscape, all whilst raising money for the lifesaving charity.
At around 75km, the Lifeboat Route is from Penlee to St Ives, then to Sennen Cove (including the hill out of the village) and Lands End before returning via Mousehole and Penlee, taking in the classic coastal hills of Penwith.
The Mayday route is shorter at around 41.5km, and a great option for the more casual rider, starting from Penlee to St Just and Lands End then back via Lamorna and Mousehole. The third course is the family friendly 4.2km short route from Penlee Point old lifeboat station and back, with most of it being on the coast path/cycle way or pavement.
Andy Bramwell, RNLI Community Manager said;
‘The Penlee Sportive is back for 2023 and this year the routes show off the best of West Cornwall and the RNLI as they take in three lifeboat stations at Penlee, Sennen Cove and St Ives, Lands End and Penzance. There are some serious climbs for riders who love a challenge, and more mellow routes for riders who want a nice morning out.
The safety of the riders is of course the main priority, and Andy is delighted the event is returning once again after its success last year;
‘We had great feedback from riders last year and raised £2500 as part of the charity’s Mayday fundraising campaign, I think we’ve got an even better event planned this year and can’t wait to see the riders out and enjoying it. As a charity we rely soley on volunteers to make events like this happen, so I’d like to thank them in advance for all the effort they put in.’
The RNLI Penlee Sportive is supported by volunteers and there will be a mechanic service offered by Mounts Bay bike hire.
Entry to the Sportive is at https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/events/2023/may/penlee-sportive-2023 and closes on 11 May 2023. More information and a link to the entry can be found on the Penlee RNLI Facebook page.