HITZ Bath take on Premiership Cycle Challenge

Players on the HITZ Bath programme saddled up and used some pedal power to raise funds for their latest residential trip.

With the use of 3 Watt bikes, kindly donated by Fitness First, the players attempted to cycle the 563 kilometres from The Rec in Bath to Kingston Park in Newcastle, making stops at all major Premiership Rugby clubs along the way. 

The award winning HITZ programme aims to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing young people today and with a little bit of help and guidance, provides young people with the skills to get back into education, vocational training, apprenticeships and employment.

Throughout the day the HITZ participants kept the kilometres ticking over, encouraging each other every step of the way, members of the public even hopped on and gave it a go.

When the clock stuck 4.00pm the students had cycled a total 504 kilometres. Despite missing the 563 kilometre target, this is was a huge achievement with 10 of the 11 Premiership clubs reached.

At the end of the long fundraising day HITZ Officer Steve Barber said, “I’m massively proud of the HITZ participants. They came up with this idea themselves and all of them contributed to the ride which was a long slog on a hot and humid day. We also had massive support and help from the Fitness First team who not only helped us to run the event but jumped on the bikes and got some good km under their belts along with other HITZ Bath partners such as Salvoatore Pace from Gracie Barra Bath. 

Four hours in to the ride we were struggling but we received a boost when local cafe Boston Tea Party came along to refresh us with free smoothes and flapjacks, I don’t think we would have got as far without that little sugar hit so I also want to say thanks to them.”