The organisers behind one of Derbyshire’s biggest annual fundraising challenges have added a brand-new distance to help encourage more people to sign up.
The Cosy Foundation is introducing a 13-mile “Hamble” – a hike-amble – to this year’s Cosy Bike and Hike event, an annual cycling and walking charity challenge which will set out from Derby Arena, on Pride Park, on May 16.
The event involved hundreds of people last year, raising thousands of pounds for Derby Kids’ Camp and the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, which both provide holidays for hundreds of children from underprivileged homes.
Previously consisting of a sponsored 100-mile cycle ride to the holiday centre in Skegness, the event made history last year by offering an alternative activity, in the form of a 20-mile hike from Derby to Ashbourne.
The hike proved to be an instant success, boosting the number of people taking part last year to around 200 and helping last year’s event to raise more than £90,000 overall.
Both the 100-mile ride and the 20-mile hike will return once again this year, accompanied by the Hamble, which will follow the same route as the 20-mile route but will finish at Longford for those walkers who want to do their bit but feel the longer walk is beyond them.
The money will once again be divided between both good causes, with the Kids Camp money being earmarked to help fund a new barn, which will provide secure storage and upgraded utilities to support the camp, which takes place near Ashbourne every summer.
The barn is due to be completed next summer – with the names of everyone taking park in this year’s Cosy Bike and Hike event engraved into the wall as a thank-you for helping to raise the money.
David Hook, managing director of Cosy Direct, said: “The Cosy Bike and Hike is getting bigger every year and last year was a huge success, with more participants taking part than ever before.
“The hike in particular worked tremendously well, but since a 20-mile walk is a significant undertaking and we’ve had so much interest from people wanting to take part, we’ve added a shorter distance, the Hamble, to make the event more accessible.
“We’re very excited about this year’s event and we’ve already had plenty of people signing up and starting their training regimes for the big day.
“The money raised by this event has made a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of children and I’d urge anybody who fancies taking on a challenge in aid of such two worthy good causes to put their name down.”
Volunteers are also being invited to sign up, while the Cosy Foundation is also looking to increase the number of businesses involved in this year’s event, with a new range of sponsorship packages and team places available to firms wanting to make their contribution.
Those who choose to cycle will also be able to do so in the company of Guinness World Record-holding cyclist Leigh Timmis, who is the event’s patron, will once again be donning his lycra and joining the participants on the long road to Skegness.
He said: “It doesn’t matter how experienced a cyclist you are, completing a 100-mile ride in a day is a huge achievement and it’s been a wonderful privilege to witness the pride and satisfaction the riders feel when they finally reach the holiday centre.
“This will be the third year I’ve taken part and I’m looking forward to seeing the mix of regulars and new faces.
“I’d encourage anyone who is looking for a physical challenge this year to sign up. The route is well sign-posted, there are three scheduled stops and brilliant camaraderie along the way – and you can reward yourself with fish and chips at the end.”
Janine Holmes, CEO of the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, said: “The Bike & Hike is a great event and it’s fantastic to see it launched again in 2026.
“Having started out as the SkegVegas bike ride in 2013 in aid of our charity, it’s brilliant to see what a firm fixture it is on the calendar and how many people are busy training in preparation for May’s event.
“We are delighted that the Bike & Hike will benefit our charity with a portion of the money raised helping us provide seaside breaks for children at our centre in Skegness.”
Sarah Armitage MBE, chair of Derby Kids’ Camp, said: “I took part in the walk last year and it was an incredible experience, from the minute we all set off alongside the cyclists at the Derby Arena to the very welcome tea and cakes when we arrived in Ashbourne.
“I really hope that we can get plenty of people to sign up this year. It’s an amazing cause and it’s great to know that every mile travelled makes a real difference to the lives of young children in Derby and Derbyshire by giving them a most glorious holiday.”
Mechanical support, transport and medical backup is provided as part of the entrance fee, and everyone who takes part will get a free finisher’s T-shirt.
To find out more and to sign up, visit www.cosybikeandhike.com
