Key to take part in Big Bike Ride 3
Tuesday 1st August 2017
Former Kent captain Rob Key is one of several former Test cricketers getting on their bike in October to raise money for the PCA Benevolent Fund and the Tom Maynard Trust on Big Bike Ride 3.
The first two Big Bike Rides in 2013 and 2015 raised more than £320,000 and this year’s event takes on added significance as 2017 is the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s 50th anniversary.
A Legacy Year Appeal has been launched to raise an extra £250,000 for the PCA Benevolent Fund.
Big Bike Ride 3 will be launched with a dinner at Warwickshire’s Edgbaston headquarters on October 12 with the riders setting out on their 400-mile journey early the next morning.
Riders include Marcus Trescothick, Tim Bresnan, Michael Vaughan, Ashley Giles, Matthew Maynard and Gavin Hamilton.
The peloton of cricketers, which includes past and current county players, PCA and England and Wales Cricket Board staff, sponsors and cricket fans, will stop off at community cricket clubs along the way, a popular feature of Big Bike Ride 2 in 2015 which linked the recreational and professional games.
Three grounds which have staged county cricket – Sheffield Collegiate, Buxton and Lydney – will be hosting the Big Bike Ride 3 cyclists.
Maynard, Tom’s father, and Trescothick will be taking part in their third Big Bike Ride and they will again cycle every yard of the 400 mile route, just as they did in 2013 and 2015.
Former Kent captain Key, who is now a Sky Sports commentator, rode the first four days in 2015 but has committed to the full five days this year.
All proceeds from Big Bike Ride 3 will be shared between the PCA Benevolent Fund and the Tom Maynard Trust.
The full Big Ride 3 route is:
October 13: Edgbaston to Sheffield Collegiate CC via Atherstone CC and South Wingfield CC
October 14: Sheffield Collegiate to Crewe Vagrants CC via Buxton CC and Middlewich CC.
October 15: Crewe to Worcestershire CCC via Calverhall CC, Broseley CC, Cleobury Mortimer CC
October 16: Worcester to Monmouth School via Ledbury CC, Ruardean Hill CC, Lydney CC
October 17: Monmouth to SSE SWALEC Stadium via Abergavenny CC, Newbridge CC, St Fagans CC
There are still a few places left to join Big Bike Ride 3. Interested riders can register at http://www.thepca.co.uk/the-big-bike-ride-3.html
Donations to support the riders and PCA Benevolent Fund and Tom Maynard Trust can be made at: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/bigbikeride3/386971