Honiton gymnasts 24-hour cycle for international trips

Gymnasts and supporters from Honiton Gymnastics Club are undertaking a sponsored 24-hour cycling marathon to help raise funds for two international acrobatics competitions - in Lisbon and Turin.

They will be attempting to cycle 910 miles – the approximate distance from Honiton to Turin – in a 24 hour period on static turbo trainer bikes.  The bikes are provided by Dereck Cutler, who owns Dc Cycleworks (bicycle training, servicing and guiding).

Five gymnasts from the club are competing at the Lisbon International Acro Cup in Portugal at the end of June, and 24 gymnasts are competing at the Turin International Acro Cup in Italy at the beginning of July.

Al of the gymnasts are competing at World Age Group level or above, amany of them competing abroad for the first time.

“Raising money to go to these events is all part of the experience of earning your place at an international competition,” said James Reddy, high-performance coach and board member at Honiton Gymnastics Club.

“Both of the competitions are amazing opportunities for our gymnasts.  Not only do they get the chance to compete against some of the most experienced acrobats from across the world, but also they experience different cultures and make new friends from other countries.  Although the competition is always extremely tough, in past we have brought back a number of medals and trophies from our international trips.

The 24-hour challenge will take place from 1pm on Friday 1 June to 1pm on Saturday 2 June.  The club is inviting anyone who wishes to back the riders to visit Honiton Gymnastics Centre, on Ottery Moor Lane, and show their support. The toughest slots will be those riding through the night, who will still be undertaking their normal gymnastics training sessions on Friday evening and Saturday morning in preparation for the competitions.

All funds raised from the event will be spread equally to all competing gymnasts.

You can support the gymnasts by visiting their Just Giving Page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/honitontoturincyclechallenge.