Thank you, everyone for your sponsorship and generosity - 15 donations online and 30 offline. I managed to visit 33 churches and chapels – some for the first time - cycling more or less directly north into Norfolk to Diss and Roydon, then back into Suffolk to meander via Wortham, Hinderclay, Badwell Ash and Gt Ashfield then back to Mendlesham.  

It was slightly longer than I'd planned - 46.37 miles -  partly due to missing a turn between Wattisfield and Walsham-le-Willows. I also decided to take the scenic route between Badwell Ash and Great Ashfield as, by that time in the afternoon, the prospect of a steep hill on the shorter route wasn't too inviting and I realised I wasn't as young as once I was!

However, it was a really enjoyable day; I met some lovely people who were manning most of them to sign in cyclists and walkers and offer refreshments . The Ride and Stride day wouldn’t be what it is without these willing volunteers.

Half the sponsorship money goes to the SHCT. The other half for the benefit of the Grade I listed church of St Mary the Virgin, Mendlesham.

Suffolk Historic Churches Trust

The landscape of Suffolk would look very different without the 500 medieval churches the county can be so proud of. Then there is the role of non-conformist chapels and meeting houses in our history. Even non-worshipping members of communities appreciate that it is worth the time and money involved in preserving churches and chapels for future generations.