Capital to Coast

Turn your pedal power into vital funds for charity and get the chance to cycle some of the London 2012 Olympic route!  Join up to 2,000 like-minded riders on a scenic, fun cycle ride along open country roads.  Choose from a 60 mile roundtrip from Hove to Hove, the original 60 mile route from Esher to Hove or the 30 mile route from Haywards Heath to Hove.  Click here to register for the 2012 event.  Please ensure that you enter the code 'DSA' into the leaflet code section or Down's Syndrome Association into the charity area.

Over 1,500 riders took part in this year's event.  Two of our riders tell us why:

Gerry Draper took part with three friends - Catherine Scull, Joanne Gamble and Sylvanna Sandhu forming "Joe's Gang".  Gerry is proud mother to Abbie, aged seven and Joe who is four and has Down's syndrome.  She said

"I have received so much support from the DSA and want to give something back, and that's why I did Capital to Coast.  I am so proud of Joe and want people to know it's ok to have Down's syndrome.  It was a really well organised event.  I've never had a puncture before but on the ridewe had a couple, the marshalls on motorbikeswere our heroes and got us going again.  I've got no aches and pains after the ride and can even sit down!  It was great and we can't wait to do it again.  Our families were there, including Joe, cheering us on at the end.  We aimed to raise £1,000 for Joe's team but we've already doubled it and money is still coming in!"

Gary Church, father to Alfie aged 5 said

"I found the ride to be really well organised.  The people were lovely and really helpful - I just wish there weren't so many hills!  Still, I can't wait for next year and I'm going to try and bring along a few friends to ride with.  Taking part in the ride gave me a sense of pride and I felt I was doing something, in a small way, for Alfie and all other people with Down's syndrome."