#bicyclebulletin

PRESS RELEASE

The Herne Hill Velodrome Trust and #bicyclebulletin presents… 

The Herne Hill Velodrome Riband

Jon Snow throws down gauntlet to Russell Brand and Philip Hindes MBE, Olympic gold medalist

Money raised will go towards securing the Velodrome’s future and riders’ nominated charities

Find out more at: http://www.bicyclebulletin.co.uk

The Herne Hill Velodrome Trust and the #bicyclebulletin are delighted to announce the launch of the Herne Hill Velodrome Riband, a fundraising challenge pitching top cyclists against Twitter-savvy celebrities. The HHV Riband will be a high-profile fundraiser with 50 per cent of the funds raised going towards securing the Velodrome's future and the other 50 per cent towards riders’ nominated charities.

So how does it work? Each rider, whether they’re Olympian Philip Hindes MBE or Jon Snow, broadcaster and Channel 4 News presenter, will ride three laps of the 450m track at the Herne Hill Velodrome – from a standing start, they’ll have one windup lap, then two timed laps. The fastest lap will be their registered time.

And who will win? Well, it really could be anyone’s. That’s right, we haven’t mentioned the special twist – the person with the highest total ‘score’ will be announced as the winner. A person’s ‘score’ will be calculated by dividing each rider’s fundraising efforts by their fastest lap time. So, a ‘slow’ celebrity could outsprint an Olympian by raising more cash – an ingenious way for a celebrity to beat an Olympian.

The Riband announcement was made in the first episode of the #bicyclebulletin by Hillary Peachey, Chairman of the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust. The first challengers are avid cyclist, Jon Snow, Channel 4 News Anchor and Philip Hindes MBE, Olympic cycling gold medal winner, who will both compete for the HHV Riband later in the year.

Talking to the #bicyclebulletin, Jon Snow said: “I will be riding for my charity New Horizon Youth Centre. I have more than 402,000 followers on Twitter so what I may lack in speed, I expect to more than compensate for through fundraising online. I believe dirty tricks are allowed so I will be calling on some old friends to help out.” And who would Snow like to be up against on the track? “I am very keen to challenge   @RustyRockets – Russell Brand.” 

Philip Hindes MBE said: “I will be riding for Team Herne Hill. I am one of the fastest men on the track in the UK so, although I don’t yet have 400,000 twitter followers like Jon, I am quietly confident I can give my rivals a run for their money! I also have one or two old friends in the right places. I am challenging my friend, Andy Tennant, Team GB cyclist."

Up to nine riders will be invited to take part in the HHV Riband, which will commence later this year. Their laps will be broadcast online on the #bicyclebulletin’s website: www.bicyclebulletin.co.uk.

Herne Hill Velodrome patron, double Olympic gold medalist and nine times world champion track cyclist, Victoria Pendleton CBE, said: “May the best team win.”

ENDS

Reflect Please ! by Alex Bettler

The Environmental Transport Association was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services putting concerns for our environment at the heart of what it does. In 1994 it founded a charity, the ETA trust, to campaign for a more sustainable, safe, and healthy transport future. For every cycle insurance policy, vehicle breakdown policy and travel insurance policy ETA donates to the trust. Ahead of the curve ETA became a carbon-neutral company in 2002. ETA  offers similar assistance to customers to help them offset carbon emissions from their own lifestyles and in doing so funds vital projects to reduce environmental impacts around the world.

ETA is a big fan of cycling as it understands its hugely positive effect on public health, road safety and the environment. It does all it can to support uptake by providing fully comprehensive insurance policies that replicate the level of cover that motorists have come to expect when they buy ‘fully comp’ car insurance. ETA was the first organisation in Britain to develop a nationwide breakdown service for bikes included as standard in all cycle insurance policies. In addition all ETA insured cyclists are covered by £1m third party insurance at no extra cost.