SACA Birmingham to London (Annual Cycle ride)

Over the last 17 years SACA, Sikh Arts and Cultural Association (SACA) have
raised over Thousands of pounds for children's charities, for example:

Help a London Child (Capital Radio FM), Cash for Kids (BRMBFM), Wolverhampton
Children's ward, Ealing Hospital, 'Playground in the Sky',
Dr Barnado's, Contact a Family, Red Cross, dEBra (skin disorder charity)
Downs Syndrome Research Foundation, SCOPE and NSPCC.

This year's charity is the Whizz Kids – aiming to help disabled children to become more independent.

On route!

Over 250 cyclists started from Smethwick Gurdwara on Saturday morning. (22nd July at 8am). At 3pm the ride hit major storm conditions but the cyclist persevered.
Cyclists - rode all day taking only 5 breaks between steep and subtle hills, closing off the first leg of the weekend event in Luton.

Amazingly alongside the entire 2 days Team Fauja – a relay running team including Fauja started at 8.15am By Fauja Singh (the world marathon record holder (oldest male at 96).

On the second day on the cyclist's had reached the infamous hill in Elstree - happy to have tackled the final hill, lunch was served before the final leg home to West London!

A Fantastic Reception that encouraged everyone.After the finishing parade on the Southall Broadway at 3pm, the ride finished at Southall park - with a Thank you from the Mayoress from Ealing Council.

The following examples show how everyone that was involved in making this ride a success also made it an enjoyable event for all those that took part:

On Friday night, the overnight accommodation and hospitality at Smethwick Gurdwara was fantastic. On Saturday evening, the riders reception and overnight accommodation and hospitality at Luton. The Gurdwara was as normal outstanding.

During the event's finale, in Southall the ½ mile procession that included musicians, cyclists, official support vehicles and open air sound systems from Hypnotise sounds.

The SACA organisation are grateful to all the support teams, 250 cyclists and their receiving families. The langar and reception was excellent and enjoyed by all.

A team effort
In addition, the SACA organisation would like to Thank all that took part in this ride, the list of organisations below is not exhaustive.

* Of all that took part:The support of all the riders and their families, everyone that took the time to come to Southall to welcome the riders, Cyclist support team, Metropolitan Police, Gurdwara's in Smethwick (Birmingham), Luton, Park Avenue Southall, Rocky's, all the truckers and support teams (inc: SACA ride marshals), the ride medical doctors: Dr Rajdeep Khatter & Dr Rosy Arora, SACA Team members: Jas, Dave, Sandy, Raj, Harmi, Savinder, Dave, Bobby, Dobbs, Raps, Ranjod, Chas, Pala, Sati.., all sponsoring organisations (including The Sikh Times) and all that took part to make this ride a safe and fun event.

The annual Ride presentation evening

SACA's next event in support of collecting and presenting the consolidated funds raised by the bike ride to Whizz Kids, will be the Riders Presentation evening. It will be a chance to formally thank all those that have given for charity (inc sponsors) and to share in the joy of helping others. This event is planned to take place in October 2006, please look out for up & coming details.