Specialist cycle event organisers, Iconic Cycling Events (ICE) have joined forces with a team of former British Lions rugby players to help raise funds for charity. 

Ride of the Lions (RotL) was set up in 2013 by a group of former rugby internationals to bring rugby and cycling together for a good cause, and gives participants a chance to ride with some legends of the sport. Its events this year include Ride of the Lions NZ2017, from Wellington to Auckland, and Clock to the Rock, from London to Gibraltar. 

Iconic Cycling Events organise a highly-regarded series of UK sportives, including Bike Bath, Bike Chester and Bike Oxford. 

Bike Bath 2016 (c. Sportive Photo)

Peter Winterbottom, former England and British Lion who champions the overseas rides, says:

"I've known Richard Best for many years, and his team at Iconic Cycling Events have developed a number of excellent events in the UK. We have 2 great rides coming up later this year, a week long ride during the forthcoming British and Irish Lions New Zealand tour between the 2nd and 3rd test and in September we will complete the Clock to the Rock, a 2 week challenge ride from Big Ben to Gibraltar. 
"We are looking forward to welcoming some of the Bike Bath, Chester and Oxford riders onto our overseas rides and in turn we aim to get involved in the UK rides as part of our training".

Both organisations are committed to raising money for charities, with the Lions' events raising funds for Breast Cancer UK and Prostate Cancer UK, and the ICE events supporting their local hospices. 

Clock to the Rocks (c. Ride of the Lions)

The ICE rides start on May 7th with Bike Oxford followed by Bike Chester in June and Bike Bath in July. Each event offers a choice of 25, 50 and 80 mile routes. They have a reputation for being welcoming to novice and female riders, and also showcase local food and drink. 

Ride of the Lions' events will involve some well known former British Lions rugby players including Roger Uttley, Rodger Arneil, Rob Henderson, Craig Chalmers, Ben Clarke, Mike Teague and Dafydd James. The inaugural Ride of the Lions raised over £100,000 for charity and it's hoped that 2017's events will be more successful still. 

Richard Best, from Iconic Cycling Events adds:

"We are delighted to be working with Peter and his team to promote these fantastic overseas rides. We know there is a growing interest in professionally organised international events, and I'm sure some of our riders and business supporters will be very tempted to support these rides." 

Entry details for the events are available now from www.iconiccyclingevents.co.uk  and www.rideofthelions.co.uk