Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride
The 2009 Great Notts Bike Ride took place on Sunday 21st June 2009 at Holme Pierrepont.
The 2010 GNBR date is now fixed for Sunday 20 June 2010.
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Some history of the Great Notts Bike Ride and pictures of past events:
Pedals started the GNBR in 1982.
This photo shows the start of that ride, in June 1982, from The Forest (Goose Fair Site), heading for Newark via Arnold and Dorket Head. In the early years riders were left to find their own way back. 
The ride was organised by Dave Law and Steve Parry of Pedals, inspired by the London to Brighton Ride which had started a few years earlier.
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Nottingham Evening Post cutting about Dave Law on the 1996 Ride
One of the most successful charity rides in the UK, it is now organised by Nottinghamshire County Council. Following 50 mile (long ride) or 18 mile (short ride) circuits through the Trent Valley, the GNBR is staged each year in early summer. A 70-mile route has also now been added.
Some pictures from the early GNBRs including the first refreshment stop at Bleasby (later moved to Thurgarton where there is more space):
refreshment stop opposite Newark Castle:
The GNBR passing through Fiskerton
Entertainments on the ride:
older and younger cyclists, on single bikes and tandems:
Nottinghamshire County Council took over from Pedals as the main organisers of the GNBR in 1985, starting that year at County Hall, and in 1986 the start was moved to the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont (with a choice of 50- and 18-mile circular rides), which has remained the start ever since:
The photo below shows the start of the 50 mile ride in 2004, Pedals 25th birthday and with Pedals riders in special T-Shirts.
Nottingham Evening Post cutting of the 25th GNBR in 2006:
A longer ride was added in 2008 (100 miles), and this has now become a regular part of the ride in 2009 as the 70-mile 'Sportive' Ride.
See the BBC website for more details of the 2008 ride.
The Great Notts Bike Ride aims at getting more people on bikes, having some fun whilst getting fit. The event now attract about 4500-5000 riders. There were two new route options in 2008, including a Family Lap Challenge and a 100 mile (in practice 75-miles, with the strong winds on the day) Sportive, plus a Corporate Challenge for businesses. Entries for all routes are on the event website
www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/bikeride
This year's Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride takes place on 21 June 2009. In addition to the 18 and 50 mile rides, this year's event will once again include the longer sportive ride (about 75 miles) and a lap challenge for younger riders.
You are now able to register your entry on-line at http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/bikeride.htm or alternatively you can download an entry form at the same address. The link will also give more details about the rides, sponsorship forms and details of the charities who will benefit from the event.
If you would like more information about the bike ride please tel: 08449 80 80 80, e-mail: bikeride [at] nottscc [dot] gov [dot] uk, or see the website: http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/bikeride
