THE 23rd Tour de Furness charity cycle ride takes place on Sunday, September 9, and this year it is complementing the Tour of Britain Stage 6 which takes place two days earlier.

The Tour de Furness starts and finishes at Roose Cons Club in Barrow and has four routes with the aim of catering for riders of all abilities.

The aim is to raise as much money as possible for charity but the major benefactor is St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston.

Riders can also raise money for their own chosen charity so it gives smaller charities the opportunity to raise money.

Over the past 23 years, the Tour de Furness, organised by the Rotary Club of Furness, has raised nearly £400,000.

The junior five mile route is to The Concle Inn at Rampside and follows the route of the old railway line so, other than short section of the coast road, it is safe for junior riders. The 13 mile route goes along the Coast Road and then through Leece, Holbeck and Furness Abbey. The 23 mile route again follows the Coast Road just past Bardsea and the makes its way through Birkrigg Common, Great Urswick, Gleaston and then rejoins the 13 mile route at Leece. The 50 mile route follows part of Stage Six of the Tour of Britain, going along the Coast Road to Ulverston then to Greenodd, Lowick, the east side of Coniston Water, Coniston and back down the west side of Coniston Water, retracing the route back to the start.

At the finish there is a BBQ with complimentary drinks and a burger. Everybody receives a certificate to confirm completion of the ride. Entry can be made on the website at tourdefurness.co.uk