Did you over indulge at Easter? Are you worried about fitting back into your shorts with summer fast approaching? 

Leading national charity, Action Medical Research, is appealing for riders to work off those chocolate excesses and to start getting in shape by signing up for its 24th annual bike ride from Bath and Bristol to London on Sunday 28 August 2005.

The Action 100 bike ride, which helps raise vital funds to improve the health and quality of life of people in the UK by supporting groundbreaking medical research, challenges amateur cyclists throughout the UK to cycle 100 miles for Action Medical Research. This year, the charity aims to exceed the fantastic numbers it achieved in 2004 - 450 cyclists raising over £52,000 – by targeting itself with recruiting at least 500 people to get on their bikes for a good cause. 
Cyclists have all day to complete the ride and are fully supported with plenty of refreshment stops, a pub lunch at Theale, and hot showers and cold beers available at the finish in Chobham. 

 St John Ambulance and Avon Valley Cyclery (for vital bike repairs) patrol the route to help any riders in difficulty. Return transport to Bristol and Bath is provided for both cyclists and their bikes.
 “More than anything, the event is about personal achievement – perhaps cycling with family members or colleagues, or simply people finding out if they can meet the challenge.  Because it’s friendly and split into stages, there’s a real sense of motivation and achievement throughout the whole day,” said Richard Westropp, Chairman of the volunteer organising group for Action Medical Research.  
For riders from Bristol:
Starting at historic Temple Meads Train Station, the route follows the A4 to the rugby club at Chobham, passing through some wonderful countryside en route. The bar at Chobham Rugby Club will be open all afternoon, welcoming the weary riders with hearty food and drinks.
Action Medical Research is currently looking for answers to a wide range of medical problems that affect all age groups. Two of their current projects are taking place at Bristol University, One is focusing on the prevention of leg ulcers in those with movement problems and diabetes, and the second into osteoporosis of the spine.
For riders from Bath:
The charity is currently supporting research into the use of ultrasound in the healing of tibia (shin bone) fractures which are taking place at the University of Bath.  These fractures can take as long as five months to heal and this study aims to encourage a more effective healing.
From the Bath start point at the route again follows the A4 to the rugby club at Chobham

The beautiful town of Marlborough is one of the first places that the ride will pass through as cyclists make their way along the A4.  Cyclists will pass through Newbury ahead of their lunch break, as they continue to make their way along the A4.   After lunch in Theale, they head out through Arborfield and Twyford as they leave. Windsor is the last major landmark that the cyclists will pass through as they wave ‘hello’ to HRH. 

Chobham will be a welcome sight to the tired by successful cyclists, as the rugby club will be their ultimate destination.  Having cycled along the A4 from Bath or Bristol, they will have earned their refreshments at the bar, which will be open all afternoon.
To secure your place on  the Action 100 Bike ride on Sunday August 28, call  Roy Clarke on  0117 973 6993 or visit the website at www.action100ride.org.uk.

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