The Bagshaws 150 mile bike ride in aid of RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and FCN (Farm Community Network). 

Bagshaws is a century and a half old this year and by strange coincidence a route taking in all the current offices amounts to approximately 150 miles.

Alastair Sneddon and a few companions are going to attempt to cycle around that circuit hopefully attracting sponsorship in aid of RABI and FCN.

In order to have the maximum hours of daylight, (and they will all be needed) it is intended to do this as close to midsummer's day as possible and so it will happen on Saturday, 26th of June, 2021.

Farming, by necessity, can be a lonely and often solitary occupation and there is a very real need for farmers to come together to combat the corrosive effects of being too long in their own company.

We have, however, been living through anything but normal times and any of the gatherings mentioned above have either been restricted or not been allowed to happen.

Auction markets have continued to operate, but on a `Drop and Go` basis, which has, for the best of reasons, allowed stock to be traded, but could not address the health issues of those effectively `trapped` on farm.

However, in order to draw attention to these issues and to raise funds for two of the Farming Charities, namely, RABI and FCN I have decided to attempt a 150 mile bike ride circumnavigating the Bagshaws offices from Penistone to Penkridge and all stations in between.

This will take place on Saturday 26^th June accompanied by 3 fellow riders. My companions for the ride are my brother James and his friend John Rees with whom I have undertaken many continental bike trips, alas not possible last year. The fourth man is Mark Ramsden a long-time friend from Derbyshire. The challenge is substantial and is undertaken in true British amateur fashion ie it would be considered cheating to do much training. We intend to have a tracker system in place which will allow interested parties to follow progress and perhaps turn out to spur us on at various points along the way.

The Farming Community Network, FCN is a registered charity and is the first port of call for pastoral and practical support of all those in need in the farming community, with a particular focus on farmers and farming families.