#ColinsCycleTour - the countdown begins

Colin Shearer, West Director, is setting off on a sponsored cycle to raise funds for our historic churches at risk. He’s taken a moment to share his thoughts with us before his mammoth cycle kicks off on Wednesday.

I’m daunted and excited by the prospect of setting off next week to visit 20 fabulous churches by bike in a 352-mile trip. The journey will take me from Windsor through Oxford, skimming the south side of Rugby, across to Worcester, almost to Swindon and then striking east on the home run. 

Worcester St Swithun’s is the only church in an urban setting on my cycle. We are currently raising funds to regenerate this church into a sound and arts centre and it is this appeal for funds that originally sparked the idea for this sponsored cycle.  

I managed to squeeze in a 40-mile practice run through the Chilterns last week to a West Team staff gathering, where we were joined by Crispin Truman marking his last day working for the trust. This practise proved to me I can manage those longer 70 mile days but that it will be tiring. That dream of a Saturday morning lie in certainly won’t be possible!  

By next Wednesday I really need to attract a lot more sponsors, but by set off time I’ll know I’m not just doing this for me but actually to raise funds for four great church projects and I will feel truly committed to everyone who cares to support the cause.

If you want to support me and donate you can text Bike07 to 70070 or you can visit my Just Giving page.

Keep up to date with my progress during the tour by following the hashtag #ColinsCycleTour where I’ll be sharing the sights and sounds of our glorious churches in some of England’s finest countryside.

How are you celebrating Church Tourism Week? We have lots of events happening across the country, visit our What's On page to find out what's happening near you.