Cyclists are being invited to ride their way to raising money for a homeless charity

This year’s 200-mile Queen Eleanor Cycle Ride which will run from Friday, August 22, to Sunday, August 25 will follow the route of the 12 Queen Eleanor crosses erected by King Edward I to commemorate his Queen.

Riders will visit Lincoln Cathedral, Grantham, Stamford, Fotheringhay, Geddington, Northampton, Stony Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable, St Albans, Waltham Abbey, Cheapside and Charing Cross, with a final visit to Queen Eleanor’s tomb in Westminster Abbey.

When Queen Eleanor died in Harby near Lincoln in 1290, the King ordered that a cross be created at every overnight stop during the procession bringing her body back to London. Three of the original crosses remain, over half of the total twelve being destroyed by Parliament after the English Civil War. And while the cross at Charing Cross is actually a replica, the name comes from the French, Chere Reine, or Dear Queen.

The cycle will raise money for The Connection at St Martin’s in Trafalgar Square, London, which helps homeless people in Central London. Last year’s event raised more than £17,000.

To take part register at: www.queeneleanorcycleride.org.uk or visit: www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=tn_tnmn#!/QueenEleanorCycleRide or email queeneleanorcycle@gmail.com.