The challenge will see five teams - consisting of local councillors, university fellows, the emergency services, members of the media and staff from the Grand Arcade – battling it out to see how far they can ride on exercise bikes in 100 minutes starting at 10am.
The One Hundred Challenge, supported by the Grand Arcade, Life Fitness and Greenwich Leisure, marks the biggest annual cycling race in the world coming to Cambridge on Monday 7 July and highlights the benefits of taking regular exercise.
Regular cycling can help people lose weight, reduce stress and improve general fitness to make up the 150 minutes of exercise it is recommended adults do every week.
Cambridge City Council’s Executive Councillor for Community Wellbeing, Sarah Brown said: “With 100 days to go before we welcome the Tour de France to Cambridge, you can really feel the excitement and expectation building in the city. We are all hard at work making sure we are ready to make Monday 7th July a day like no other but it is also worth pausing to mark the milestones as the big day approaches. We have always seen 100 days to go as a key date to celebrate what we have achieved so far and encourage our residents to get on their bike to ride. For cycling not only gets you fit, it helps save you money and is good for the environment – so join in the One Hundred challenge this week and see what you can do.”
Cllr Noel Kavanagh, Cambridgeshire County Council’s cycling champion said: “It is amazing to think we are now just 100 days away from the Tour de France coming to our region. Not only is a massive global event which will see the best cyclists in the world coming to Cambridge, it will be the chance to create a real legacy in the county. Cycling is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your life, which is why we are encouraging people to do the One Hundred Challenge. So whether you cycle, walk or run or perhaps swim, do sit ups or stretches – see what you can do this weekend which equals 100.”
Cllr Pippa Corney, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Localism at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “I am very excited to be a part of the One Hundred Challenge and to celebrate the Tour de France coming to the district. We all know how good cycling is for our general health, but I also want to encourage people to explore our growing network of cycle routes. On Monday 7th July, the best cyclists in the world will be racing through the area and millions of people across the world will be able see what an amazing place this is.”
The Grand Départ will race from Leeds to Harrogate on July 5, York to Sheffield on July 6, and a third stage will travel from Cambridge to London on July 7.
Exact details of the route can be found online at www.letourcambridge.com.
In the build up to the arrival of the Tour, detailed information will be given to residents, businesses and visitors regarding the impact of the race on Cambridge and the county. This will be made available online at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/letourstage3 www.cambridge.gov.uk/le-tour-cambridge as well as through leaflets, roadshows and events.
Information will also be made available via Facebook: www.facebook.com/LeTourCambridge or Twitter: @LeTourCambridge