1600 cyclists to take part in Tour de Manc charity ride

The non-profit Tour de Manc rides began in 2015, and to date have directly raised £52,000 for charities.

This weekend, the charity cycle sportive through all ten Greater Manchester council areas will return after 18 months of delays caused by the pandemic. 

1,600 riders will set off on four different routes through Greater Manchester – more than double the 750 riders who took part in 2019.

The cyclists have signed up for rides including the 200-mile Mad Manc, the 100-mile Full Manc, the 100-Kilometre Half Manc and the 50km Mini Manc.

The Mad Manc is over 200km and goes through all 10 Greater Manchester Council areas with 10,000ft of climbing, including some closed road sections.

The Full Manc is over 100 miles, and goes through nine Greater Manchester council areas with  7,000ft of climbing, including some closed road sections.

The Half Manc is 100kms (62m) and takes  in eight council areas, with 4,000ft of climbs – a tough challenge for the fit occasional rider.

The Quarter Manc is aimed at the novice sportive rider and takes in two council areas and 2,000ft of climbs.

The non-profit Tour de Manc is entirely run by unpaid volunteers for no commercial gain and this year it is hoped to exceed the overall raised in 2019 of an estimated £135,000 to Manchester charities.

Charities benefitting this year are the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, the Seashell Trust and the Haematology & Transplant Support Charity (HaTS) at The Christie. 

Tour de Manc was founded by Danny Franks, who developed his idea of a charitable “tough” sportive through all 10 Greater Manchester council areas with co-organiser Tony Rubins.

Tour de Manc raises money by selling rider registration at £36 each and selling branded cycle wear on its website. Riders can also get sponsored to ride on behalf of preferred charities.

All the routes have been planned in cooperation with the ten Greater Manchester local authorities and TfGM.

The routes are expertly signposted, and on-route marshals and mobile marshals assist riders.

“The Tour de Manc  is about raising money for Manchester charities using the inclusive power of cycling,” says Danny.

“It is not a race. Our original idea was to run epic cycling events which could raise significant funds for registered charities.

“We’re delighted that the event is growing and is ‘Using Cycling as a Force for Good in Greater Madchester’.

“Cycling has recently had big boost in popularity as people of all ages seek to keep fit and healthy, and we welcome all new riders who want to take on the Tour de Manc challenge.”

The Tour de Manc takes place on Sunday 5th September. Find out more at tourdemanc.co.uk.