Gloucestershire’s Sportive 2017 Event – Sunday 9 July

In its fourth year, the 2017 Pied Piper Sportive was launched with sporting celebrities today at Kingsholm, where the charity cycle ride starts and finishes on Sunday 9 July.

To help support the launch of this year’s event Jill Douglas, sports presenter and cycling guru, was joined by Gloucester Rugby’s Charlie Sharples, former cricket ace Alex Gidman and Gloucester Rugby CEO Stephen Vaughan; as well as some of this year’s event sponsors from the local business community. The Pied Piper Appeal is one of the appointed charity for the rugby club. Both Charlie and Alex are also vice patrons for the Appeal.

Last year saw just over 250 riders take to the Gloucestershire roads to raise funds for the Pied Piper Appeal. With new and improved routes for 2017, riders can choose a 55, 100 or 160km option around the beautiful countryside to the west of the city and into the stunning Forest of Dean taking in outpost stations at Berry Hill RFC and Newent RFC. Starting and ending at the home of rugby, Kingsholm, entry costs just £25 per rider and registration is open until Friday 7th July, so visit www.piedpipersportive.co.uk to secure a place at this great price. On the day entries are £30.

Main group shot L to R:

Back row: Stephen Vaughan (GR), Dave Edgecombe (Edgecoms), Alex Gidman (VP Pied Piper), Richard West (Pied Piper), Pete Glanville (WCD Group) – Front row: Marcus Evans (Evans Jones), Lesley Lyons (Lakes Bathrooms), Sam Lake (Group HES), Jill Douglas, Suzanne Hall-Gibbons (C2S), Charlie Sharples