Saddle up for the Barratt Homes Cycle Sportive 2024 with Heartbeat

Cardiac charity Heartbeat is teaming up with house builder Barratt David Wilson Homes’ Southampton division to deliver this year’s Heartbeat Cycle Sportive event.

Now in its eighth year, Heartbeat Cycle Sportive takes place in the beautiful Test Valley, with a choice of 70- and 40-mile routes finishing in the lovely grounds of Embley school, Romsey.

Cycle Sportives are long-distance, organised cycling events – the cycling equivalent of running a marathon – which involve completing a set route of up to 150 miles.

They are designed to test all-round bike riding skills rather than flat-out speed and are a great way for riders to enjoy the camaraderie and thrill of being part of a large group of riders.

Taking place on Sunday 29th September, the Heartbeat Cycle Sportive routes take cyclists through Romsey over to Winchester, Stockbridge and Broughton where the routes split. The longer route then travels over to Salisbury and the shorter one goes back to Romsey via East Tytherley.

This year’s event will be sponsored by Barratt Southampton as the housebuilder’s first joint-venture with Heartbeat after it was named chosen charity of the year for 2024 / 2025.

Megan Hamlyn, Marketing Manager at Barratt Southampton, who will be participating in the ride and is currently in training, said: “This will be my first time taking part in this event, and not to mention the first time I’ve cycled 40 miles! I know several people who have benefited from Heartbeat’s amazing support and I’m really excited to help raise much-needed funds for them.”

Tina Richardson, Head of Operations at Heartbeat, said: “We’re so grateful for the support of the Barratt Homes team. They are even putting our smoothie bike in their reception for promotional purposes, so when people visit their offices they can make a smoothie by pedalling, while helping to raise funds for Heartbeat.”

The route will be arrowed and marshalled by Heartbeat’s volunteers, with free mechanical support provided en route by Giant Southampton.

Refreshments will be provided at Embley and Littleton, with water sponsored by Hildon water, and there will be a support car sponsored by Hendy Motor group.

There’s still time to book your place. To register, visit https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events