Cycling Mansells heading for Chester

Motor racing legend Nigel Mansell and his sons are well into their 1200-mile 13-day cycle challenge around Britain.

Yesterday (Saturday) the Mansells led the group of cyclists – including 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Bäckstedt – on a 100-mile leg from Cardiff to Worcester. Today they’re covering the 89 miles between Worcester and Chester.

When they arrive in Chester this afternoon the team will head for the Live! New Schene Youth Centre for an afternoon of cycling activities, music and refreshments.

Then tomorrow it’s back on the bikes for the 94-mile leg to Blackpool, where they’ll meet with local dignitaries to officially open a new cycle café in the town’s Solaris Centre and Blackpool’s new Hire-A-Bike scheme before heading to Stanley Park for another afternoon of cycling-related activities that will include trials display riding, BMX coaching, Cycle Blackpool Doctor Bike advising on repair and maintenance and virtual racing on Wattbikes.

Matthew Daykin, a rider who joined part of the ride said, “The Mansells were fantastic, encouraging, approachable and genuine throughout, the boys a credit to their father and the father a national treasure who I am truly humbled to have met. Seldom do opportunities like this arise and credit where it is due Nigel pushed home the nature of the cause with absolute sincerity.

“To sum up – a fabulous experience. I truly wish I could have stayed on for a couple of days, I have to say the flame is now lit, I have the bug, I look forward to future events!”

The riders are raising the profile of the Positive About Youth campaign, marking the centenary of the charity UK Youth, which works with young people throughout the UK, helping them to raise their aspirations, realise their potential and have their many achievements recognized.

UK Youth's work currently supports over 750,000 young people aged 14 to 25, 40,000 volunteers and part-time youth workers and in excess of 7,000 youth clubs, Bike Clubs, youth groups and projects.