May the 4th wasn’t only International Star Wars day, it was the day that hundreds of cyclists descended on the Rossendale Valley as part of the Tour de Manc 2025. This year they were supporting Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital, Seashell, St Annes Hospice & Prevent Breast Cancer.
It was the first time that the valley had played host to the cycle race, with riders choosing their routing difficulty, with three of the four routes transiting through the valley and having a feed station at Marl Pits Sports Centre. The three routes given such names as the Mad Manc, Classic Manc & Manc Challenge.
The weather was overcast and breezy, but along with the brilliant Rossendale Radio, the now BGT famous Rossendale Male Voice Choir we cheered the cyclists along who were coming to the feed station for well earned refreshments. Hopefully they were impressed with the warm Rossendale welcome and small but energetic crowd that had come along to support them. Most of the riders had a big smile on their face as they rode on in, and even managed a wave or two.
As ever we managed to help a couple of the riders along by supplying plasters to aid rubbing shoes and holding ear pods in place. We hope all the riders made it back to the start/finish line safely and raising a good amount for the aforementioned charities.
We also bumped into some amazing stilt walkers who could almost reach the top of our (already quite tall) flags!
