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Route revealed for UK drinks trade charity cycling challenge

04 August 2023 By Patrick Schmitt

The route has been revealed for a three-day charity cycling challenge taking place next month to raise funds for UK charity The Drinks Trust.

Including almost 3,500 metres of climbing across the counties of Surrey, Sussex and Kent, the challenge will take in major ascents such as Pitch, Whitedown and Box Hills, along with Crockham and Ide.

Covering almost 350km over the three-days, the cyclists will visit many of the UK’s most famous English wine producers, including Balfour, Bolney, Chapel Down, Gusborne and Squerryes.

Dubbed The Harvest Tour, the ride will give the cyclists a taste of English wine country as producers gear up to pick this year’s vintage.

Conceived by The Drinks Trust and The Wine Trade Sports Club Foundation, the charity fundraising challenge is being run in association with VinLog Powered by Kuehne+Nagel – a logistics service that was established to cater for the specific needs of the wine and spirits industry.

As previously reported by db, The Harvest Tour will take place from 29 September to 1 October to support the work of The Drinks Trust through its new Cost of Living Crisis Appeal, and aims to raise £230,000 for up to 1,000 members of the industry facing hardship.

The challenge is also being conducted to celebrate the life of Philip Tuck MW, Hatch Mansfield wine director and Wine Trade Sports Club Board Member, who tragically died last month in a cycling accident in France.

Philip, who was a founder of the Harvest Tour and a passionate cyclist, was killed on his bicycle just ahead of his 60^th birthday while on a cycling holiday with his son in Burgundy.

Charles Taverner, managing national accounts director at Maison Marques et Domain and Wine Trade Sports Club Foundation trustee, said: “Phil was a passionate cyclist and one of my greatest friends. As one of its original architects, I know he was really looking forward to this event. It will be a great honour to now ride the Harvest Tour in his memory and for his wife Kate, his son Felix and his extended family. Like many of his friends I am going to miss him deeply, but I know he would want everyone to enjoy the cycling – and especially to enjoy some superb wine after the ride! I look forward to raising a glass with friends, and honouring his memory.”

Ross Carter, chief executive from The Drinks Trust added: “Phillip was a longstanding supporter of The Drinks Trust, and his contribution to the wine industry was immeasurable. Our industry has lost an individual of great integrity and generosity… The Harvest Tour will be a poignant moment to pay our respects.”

To sign up to the Harvest Tour, please click here.

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