The 5th edition of the Jim Woods Memorial Audax ride took place on Sunday 12th July. This year, Alton Cycling Club paired with leading local charity, Cardiac Health, which benefited from the money raised.
The route was 108km from Alton, through beautiful Hampshire countryside via the Itchen, Test and Dever valleys. There was a welcome break for coffee and cake at the Waitrose Leckford Estate in the picturesque Cherry Tree Café and finally back to Alton for welcome refreshments at Cardiac Health’s Alton HQ.
It was a year for records. A record number, 93 cyclists entered the event and despite the extremely hot weather, 75 started. A record amount of over £1,400 was raised for Cardiac Health.
Mike Hayward has his own reasons for supporting the ride:
“The new base at Cardiac Health Alton for this 5th running of the Jim Woods Memorial 100k Audax ride worked really well. Ample free all-day parking very close by, excellent hall for sign on and finish and wonderful selection of filled rolls, home-made cakes and tray bakes. The route was almost the same as previously with a great coffee control stop at the midpoint and glorious Hampshire countryside throughout. As a rider I loved the route and as a long-term supporter of Cardiac Health, it was great to support this highly valued local charity.”
Many thanks to everyone who supported the event: The riders, the helpers and the cake-makers!
In particular, many thanks to John Heath for all his hard work in organising an event with such good outcomes, and in memory of his good friend, Jim Woods.
