Ride from Abbeyto honour fallen

Riders were due to set off from the Abbey on Friday September 12 at 8.45am.

The event, called the Battle 2 Battle Cycle Ride, aims to raise funds for the Motivation and Learning Trust which provides young military students with support including emergency aid and educational visits.

Undertaking the gruelling ride are members of the Military Preparation College.

They will be attempting to ride 100 miles a day and are taking on the challenge in memory of the five learners from the college who have been killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Paul Boundy, from the Military Preparation College, said: “We are grateful to English Heritage for opening the Abbey to us on Saturday morning.

Most of the staff have never ridden a road bike before committing to this event, so taking on this challenge was certainly a little daunting for them.

“However, after training hard over the last six months through the wind and rain they are ready to take on this challenge. Each staff member taking part has been given a target to raise £2,500, every penny of which will go to the MLT charity.

“The route will take them from the Battle of Hastings to Arnhem visiting several battlefields on route.

The cyclists gather at Battle Abbey at 8am and set off at 8.45pm.

People will be able to follow their progress on Facebook and Twitter.