The Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride 2023 in photos: cyclists of all ages take part in huge annual event

The Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride 2023 started at 8.45am on Sunday morning, May 14, with participants showing up from 7am for registration and fun warm-up exercises.

The tenth anniversary event raised money for Know Dementia and the Mid Sussex Branch of Parkinson’s UK, with all entry fees and sponsorship going to these charities.

Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies, who helped start the race, told the participants: “Thank you so much for being part of the next running of The Greater Haywards Heath Bike Ride.”

She also thanked the sponsors, which included Thakeham Homes, Amphibian Scaffolding, Mike Oliver Associates and Mansell McTaggart. The organisers thanked the race marshals too, who had volunteered for the day, before allowing riders to set of in groups of 20.

There were four routes, including a family friendly 12-mile ride to ‘Wiggins Way’ and a 74-mile endurance challenge.

Charity money was raised via the Cuckfield, Lindfield and Haywards Heath Rotary Club, who also attended the event

Jaime Wallden, senior director at Mansell McTaggart and a Rotary member, told the Middy: “We’re a local support group who support local charities and international things. This year the bike ride committee chose us as their charity and were supporting Know Dementia and Parkinsons UK, which is quite close to the heart of the organisers and us.”

Jaime said that Sussex Rotary clubs were also marshalling the whole course. Sussex Police also attended the event and offered people the chance to get their bikes marked and registered.

Haywards Heath Town Team chairman Ruth de Mierre called the day ‘gloriously perfect’.

She said: “Thank you to all our riders who came from far and wide to enjoy the sunshine and help us raise funds for our local Dementia and Parkinson friends; just as important is our hugely grateful thanks to the very many volunteers and helpers. To those who spent hours putting up arrows, directions (and taking them down) to those who helped with registration, in a slightly chilly Broadway and all who stood at marshal points helping our riders; not to mention those who manned the Feed Stations – we’ve never had so many compliments from so many riders at how they all felt ‘looked after’.

“Perhaps the final, and loudest, thanks should go to our town clerk, Steve Trice, and his team; Steve is just indefatigable and his organisational skills and calm in the face of crisis is a lesson certainly to me; thank you Steve. Truly, the HH Bike Ride wouldn’t happen without the loyalty, support and friendship of so many and we do so send our grateful thanks to you all.”