WHILE competitors in the Tour de France have been tackling mountainous climbs, cyclists in Cornwall have been taking on the “Cornish Alps”.

A record 229 riders took part in this year’s Cornish Alpine Cycle Challenge organised by the Rotary Club of St Austell Bay.

This is the fifth year that the sportive event has been organised by the club, with cyclists starting from Priory Car Park in the centre of St Austell.

There was a choice of two challenging routes, covering either 25 or 50 miles. Both courses crossed the heart of the Clay Country, home of the china clay waste tips, fondly known as the “Cornish Alps”.

Some of the highest points on the routes, which included trails not normally open to the public, had views from the north coast of Cornwall to the south coast.

The longer route extended across Goss Moor before returning to St Austell. A third alternative course was a family-friendly 12-mile route.

A spokesperson for the Rotary Club of St Austell Bay said: “We would like to thank the sponsors of the event, Amped E-motion Cycles, Andrew Toms, Bridge Bike Hire, Clive Mitchell Cycles, Coastal Medical Services, Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response, SJ Grigg, Julian Foye, Kelly’s Ice Cream, May Whetter & Grose, Niles Bakery and St Austell Printing Company. We particularly thank Imerys, the Eden Project, Natural England and St Austell Town Council for welcoming us on their property.”

This year’s Cornish Alpine Cycle Challenge has raised more than £5,000.

The main beneficiaries of the event will be Cornwall Hospice Care, which runs the Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St Austell, and the Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre at Hewas Water. The Rotary club will also be supporting other local charities.

Club president Glyn Rowett said that he was delighted to see so many entrants who had enjoyed the event and were enthusiastic to take part again next year.

In a separate fundraising venture, the club has held a duck race in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care.

The River Valley Holiday Park at London Apprentice was the venue for the duck race on the White River, also known as the St Austell River.

The duck race was followed by a barbecue and pig racing. The resulting cheque for £849 was accepted by Paddy Talen of the holiday park, on behalf of Cornwall Hospice Care. Paddy will be taking part in a sponsored cycle ride this summer for the charity.

Outgoing club president Paul Hancock thanked Paddy and his wife Alison for the use of the holiday park.

The St Austell Sharks swimming club will also receive a donation, with the Rotary club’s thanks, for making sure that no ducks escaped down the river.

The club’s next fundraising event will be a golf tournament at St Austell Golf Club on Sunday, September 21, in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care, the Merlin Neurotherapy Centre and other local charities.

The club spokesperson said: “If you would like to know more about the Rotary Club of St Austell Bay, please contact Lewis Kelly on 07852 396826.”