Keen cyclists are being offered the chance to ride between some of Kent’s football clubs whilst raising money for charity.

The Tour de Kent 2013 will be cycling round the football grounds of Kent to raise funds and awareness for two heart related charities, namely CRY- Cardiac Risk in the Young and Take Heart Mercy Mission.

Taking place on the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 25th to Monday 27th May 2013 and starting at Gillingham Football Club, riders have the option of

“The First Leg”; 15 gentle miles along the quiet back lanes between Gillingham & Sittingbourne, on Saturday 25 May

“The Full Day”; 50 miles from Gillingham to Margate visiting 6 grounds along the North Kent coast including a lunch stop

“The Lot!”; 200 miles over the full 3 days, visiting 21 grounds across Kent starting and finishing at Gillingham with optional overnight accommodation provided.

There will be footballers from Gillingham, both past & present including management and other sporting celebrities taking part.

The ride has full sportive backup: signage, GPX, medical, outrider, mechanical, food stop and baggage transport services will be on offer to those who sign up for the British Cycling supported ride at www.tourdekent13.co.uk

The ride even has its own flapjack, made by Kent based small business Jackernuts, and official cycling jersey from Foska. Medway Council are supporting the ride as part of Medway’s 2013 “Festival of Sport”.

Ride organiser Roger Maddams said: “The event, as with many great ideas, started over a drink at a party, this time with Gillingham FC Development Coach Mark Patterson. We both discovered we liked cycling, football and good times so the initial idea was for a few friends to ride round a few football grounds and raise a few pounds for charity.”

“I thought about it, got the maps out, got to work and now we have a full blown event that will attract at least 300 riders including 110 on the 3 day stage option. The aim is to have that great time, the great camaraderie and sense of achievement and to raise tens of thousands for the charities”.

Full details of the ride including registration & accommodation fees can be found at www.tourdekent13.co.uk Ride numbers are strictly limited for the 3 day option, due to hotel room numbers available at the overnight stop destinations of Margate and Maidstone.