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The Marlow Red Kite Ride will take place on Sunday 5 September 2021

Due to the on-going COVID-19 situation we will be running the event differently to previous years. Our priority is to run a good quality event, keeping everyone, including participants, our volunteers/members, and our neighbours in Marlow safe. With this in mind we are currently working on the assumption that we will need to cap rider numbers significantly to enable social distancing. If the event is cancelled due to COVID-19, all entrants will receive a full refund, or have the option to roll their entry over to 2022.

We expect to open for entries in March. The price has been held at £35

 

 

2019 we raised £21,000 for local charities

We are delighted to announce that the Red Kite Ride which took place on Sunday 1 September  2019 raised £21,000 for local good causes including: Wheels for All, Bisham; Younger People with Dementia; Wycombe Homeless Connection; Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Marlow Sports Club. A ceremonial presentation took place on Saturday, 14 December, at The Britannia pub in Marlow.

Each charity received a donation of £4,000 with the exception of Marlow Sports Club which received £5,000 as it also receives a ‘usage fee’ for the use of club facilities for the Red Kite Ride (based on the number of riders that take part in the event).

Red Kite Ride 2019

The Red Kite Ride 2019 took place on Sunday 1 September.  Results can be found here: PublishedResultsv4

View your event photos here: https://www.awoladventure.com/events/marlow/redkiteride2019

Red Kite Ride – the friendly sportive

The Red Kite Ride, which is run by Marlow Riders this year will be raising money for a range of local charities. So this year we will be supporting the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Marlow Wheels for All, Wycombe Homeless Connection, Younger People with Dementia and Marlow Sports Club.  Further details can be found on our Charities page : http://marlowredkiteride.co.uk/charities-support-for-2019

The Red Kite Ride (RKR) sportive gives you a taster of the Chilterns, a top UK cycling destination. Beautiful rolling countryside, home to the graceful Red Kite, provides challenging climbs rewarded with sweeping descents.  We’ve even been featured in Cycling Weeky’s Best Sportives near London

In 2019 we have three exciting routes, 100, 80 and 50 miles.  Each has well stocked feed stations and toilet facilities. All routes take you through quintessential old English villages and countryside, filming locations for Midsomer Murders, Vicar of Dibley, Lewis, Miss Marple, Jonathan Creek, returning to Marlow across the iconic Grade I listed Marlow Bridge.

The entry fee is £35 and for this you get:

  • Three great routes with clear signage and marshals at key stages
  • Well stocked feed stations and toilet facilities
  • Full electronic timing
  • Event village with food, drink and entertainment, so you can relax and celebrate at the end of the ride with friends and loved ones
  • Routes available for GPS systems
  • A rider gift for all finishers
  • All proceeds to charity

The sportive is not a race. It is a personal challenge to complete the course and do the best you can. Riders must wear a helmet and follow the Highway Code at all times.

Country 50 Miles  – one feed station

Perfect for first timers, the 50 mile route includes two challenging but achievable climbs with enjoyable descents and plenty of beautiful rolling countryside.

Classic 80 Miles – two feed stations

All the attractions of the 50 mile route, with the added challenge of a loop of the rolling Oxfordshire Plain with its many picturesque villages.

Challenge 100 Miles  – three feed stations

Ideal for those looking to break the ‘century’ for the first time as well as those looking to enjoy a day out in the Chilterns. The 100 mile route visits many of the same points of interest as the Classic and Sprint/, plus the stunning grounds of Eythrope – the last of the Buckinghamshire Rothschild houses to remain in Rothschild hands.

All routes start and finish at the Marlow Sports Club. Finishers receive a rider gift and medal. There will be a range of refreshments and a barbeque where friends and family can cheer the intrepid riders as they return.

Riding for charity

The Red Kite Ride has so far raised over £50,000 for charitable causes in the seven years that it has run. We do not expect you to raise sponsorship, although you may wish to do so, either for our chosen charities or for your own choice. If you would like to give an extra donation you will have the opportunity to do so when you enter. This has the added advantage that the charities can claim a tax refund using the ‘give as you earn’ scheme.

We will send a full briefing pack by email to all entrants about a week before the event.

Start times

The start for each route is open for a set period and riders can start at any time during that period. For safety, we send riders off in groups roughly 2 minutes apart.

  • 100 miles – start time: 7:30 to 8:30
  • 80 miles – start time: 8:00 to 9:30
  • 50 miles – start time: 8:30 to 10:00

 

For a blow by blow account of the fun we had at last years Red Kite Ride, check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/marlowredkiteride

Photos – Discount if you pre-book
Pre-book your photos from AWOL Adventure and get a 50% discount: https://www.awoladventure.com/events/marlow/redkiteride2019

Video of the Start 2017

Marlow Riders

The Red Kite Ride is hosted and run by Marlow Riders. For more information about Marlow Riders visit our website: www.marlowriders.org.uk

 

Advertise here

We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities.  Contact us on media@marlowredkiteride.co.uk for more information.