Worcestershire War Memorial Bike Rides

Local Worcestershire man David Waite is commemorating the centenary of the Armistice (effectively the end of World War One) with a bike ride taking in most free-standing War Memorials across the County. Paying a personal tribute to those who fell. David will follow 5 distinct routes on 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 May covering an estimated 350 miles and clocking up an anticipated 30 hours in the saddle.

Part of the Worcestershire World War One Hundred programme the Worcestershire War Memorial Bike Rides are supported by Ikonic Design and Echelon Cycles. In addition to sharing the stories of some of the men whom the war memorials remember, David also hopes to raise money for two local charities; The Tommy Atkins Centre and Remember the Fallen.

David Waite, retired soldier and road cyclist said: “This year is the centenary of the Armistice and I want to pay a personal tribute to all those Worcestershire men and women who gave their lives during World War One. I have decided to ride to as many of the free-standing War Memorials as these are our last visible link we have between us living today and those who lost their lives; but who were born, lived and worked in Worcestershire.

“As well as this I plan to photograph each of these Memorials to create a photographic legacy for the County and hope that those choosing to support these rides will in turn support two local charities who work to support injured veterans (The Tommy Atkins Centre) and archive the stories of soldiers (Remember The Fallen) for future generations.”

Gillian Roberts, Worcestershire World War One Hundred Project Officer said: “What a way to remember the soldiers from Worcestershire who gave their lives for the Great War. We often travel to the battlefields to visit memorials and remember those who gave their lives so it seems fitting that David has chosen to do this on home ground and visit the 127 memorials right here in Worcestershire. I look forward to following David’s journey and hearing more about the soldiers commemorated on our County War Memorials.”

The routes are as follows, a full breakdown of each can be found on www.ww1worcestershire.co.uk:

1 May 2018 – Tommy Atkins Route, 78.5 miles - Starts Honeybourne, ends Inkberrow.

3 May 2018 – Ikonic Design Route, 51.9 miles - Starts Elmley Castle, ends Great Malvern.

5 May 2018 – Echelon Cycles Route, 61.7 miles - Starts Worcester, ends Hanley Castle.

7 May 2018 – Remember the Fallen Route, 110 miles - Starts Redditch & Bromsgrove, ends Kidderminster.

9 May 2018 – Worcestershire World War One Hundred Route, 51 miles - Starts Stourport-on-Severn, ends Bockleton.

To support the War Memorial Bike Rides please visit:

The Tommy Atkins Centre Just Giving page. 

and

Remember the Fallen