Brid woman to start Tour de Yorkshire

Bethany Playforth has been chosen to flag the start of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire when it departs from the Spa Bridlington on 1 May in the first stage of a three day event which will see such top riders as Sir Bradley Wiggins racing across the region. Bethany was allowed to access an adapted bike after it was provided by the innovative East Riding of Yorkshire Council All Ride scheme.

Bethany will be joined by three fellow service users from Priory View Day Centre – James Kilner, John Turner, and Leona Hull – who will all be using specially adapted bikes with the support of staff to help launch the race.

John Fortnum, team leader at Priory View, said: “It will be absolutely wonderful to see our service users playing such an important role in what will be a truly major event for the area.

“Everyone, not least those who will be taking part, are really excited about this and we will all be there on the day to cheer them on.”

Ahead of her pivotal role Bethany, who will be granted VIP access to the race, has the perfect chance to warm up thanks to a sponsored cycling event that she has organised in aid of the All Ride cycle hire scheme which has helped her develop a passion for the sport.

On Tuesday 14 April Bethany was one of around 20 service users from Bridlington Day Services raising money for a new bike for the scheme by cycling or walking one of two routes – a two mile route from the All Ride base on Bridlington’s North Promenade to Sewerby Hall; or a one mile route from the Bridlington Coastguard Station to Sewerby Hall.

Bethany has been a regular user of All Ride since the scheme was launched last June and she is now trying to raise the £4,000 needed to purchase a wheelchair adapted bike so another disabled person can benefit from the scheme too.

East Riding community sports coach Adam Swann said: “The work Bethany did in the build up to her sponsored cycle or walk is amazing and it’s great that all her friends from Priory View took part. The money Bethany raises from her event will go towards the purchase of another wheelchair adapted bike and for that we are extremely grateful to Bethany.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor Bethany’s event can do so by calling Priory View on (01262) 602477.

For more information about All Ride call the Foreshores Office on (01262) 678255.