Entries now open for fund-raising Manchester to Blackpool night bike ride

The annual event, which this year takes place on Saturday, September 26, is expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Last year, more than 800 people took part in the event, which sees cyclists travel 52 miles between the two areas throughout the night.

And this year BHF bosses are hoping to smash that record and get more people involved than ever before.

Andy Coles, event organiser for the BHF, said: “Thanks to the 858 cyclists that took part last year, we raised a phenomenal £85,713 to help fund the BHF’s life-saving work.

“Without our fund-raisers we cannot continue to fight back against heart disease so a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us.

“Now we’re back in 2015 for and ready to make this year bigger and better.

“Starting at the Trafford Centre in Manchester and finishing on the sea front under the illuminated Tower in Blackpool, the ride takes place along quiet roads and is fully marshalled and signposted with refreshment stops along the way.”

Entry fees are £30 and anyone aged 18 or over can take part.

A bus service running from Blackpool to Manchester either before or after the ride for cyclists and their bikes is also available for £25.

The entry fee purely covers the cost of running the event and so the BHF is urging supporters to raise as much money as possible to help them continue their fight back against heart disease and fund essential research into the disease.

Go to www.bhf.org.uk for more information on the event and how to enter.