In September 2021, 20 cyclists will take the long and winding road from the west coast to the east coast, riding 200 miles from Whitehaven in West Cumbria to Tynemouth.

Along the way they'll negotiate the windswept Solway Firth before joining the Reivers Way, an ancient route that links country lanes with off-road tracks.

The riders pass through Workington on their way to Carlisle before heading north on Day 2 to the England-Scotland border, weaving their way through the majestic Kielder Forest and around Kielder Water, the largest man-made reservoir in the UK.

On Day 3 the ride drops south to follow the historic Hadrian's Wall all the way through Newcastle to Tynemouth on the North Sea.

200 miles in little more than two and a half days across a variety of terrain will test the riders to their limit - but it's all for a terrific cause.

All 20 riders are raising funds for Rugby League Cares, an independent charity that has the health and wellbeing of players at the heart of much of what it does.

RL Cares supports players who are suffering ill health or undergoing difficulties; provides help and advice to enable players to plan for new careers when their playing days end, and harnesses their experiences in far-reaching health programmes that educate and inform the wider RL family.

The Great North Ride is sponsored by Leeds-based fire and security specialists UK Red, who have extended their support for the charity into a fifth year. For more information on UK Red Security and Fire Systems, please visit https://www.ukredsecurity.co.uk