With big smiles and high spirits, hundreds of soggy cyclists braved the monsoons and pushed through the gruelling 55-mile stretch of the North Dorset Cycle Ride organised by Shaftesbury Rotary Club and sponsored by BV Dairy.

Blood was pumping as 480 cyclists cycled from Castle Hill to Gold Hill amid torrential rain and thunder to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK and local charities. One team, looking as though they had stepped out of the 1973 Hovis advert, were particularly water-logged in wet tweed and cloth caps. Rotarian Tim Cook said: “BV Dairy played a huge part in getting the event off the line. “Not only were they main sponsors, but they entered a team of nine with the remaining staff coming out in full, to help with the smooth running of the day.

“Shaftesbury Rotary Club would like to say a huge thank you, to BV Dairy, for having the faith in the event going ahead during the pandemic.” Bananas and satsumas, donated by Tesco, fuelled the soaking wet cyclists at the pit-stop on Bulbarrow Hill. Tim said: “Then there are all the volunteers, friends, and family who take part very year, without them we would not be able to put the event on, so a huge thank you especially this year, despite the weather they stood there, keeping the cyclists’ spirits up by smiling and joking.

“Lastly to the dedicated cyclists who turned up to take part in such adverse weather and who’s spirits remained high without one complaint. Thank you.” Rob Beale supplied the toilets at Castle Hill and at Bulbarrow. Travis Perkins supplied Hi Viz and barriers, Aqua Clean the covid cleansers, Signrite the signage and James Thrift, who battled the elements to take the photographs.

If you took part and would like to view and order a few photos then go to –  optimisedimages.com/rotary_north_dorset_bike_ride_2021

By Karen Bate
newsdesk@blackmorevale.net