Wiggle Jurassic Classic cycle challenge raises more than £100,000 for prostate cancer charity

The organisers of the Wiggle Jurassic classic cycle challenge were delighted to have raised over £100,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, following the event last weekend, although the day was marred by an incident in which a pedestrian was struck by a cyclist, leaving her with a broken leg and sparking a debate over cycling in Lyme Regis.

The challenge, organised by Prostate Cancer UK, saw 700 riders select either a 100km or 100mile cycle ride with stunning views and scenery along the Jurassic coastline in Devon.

Andy Sallnow, Sporting Events Manager at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re so grateful for the support our riders have shown and a huge congratulations go to them for conquering the hills in such hot weather.

"With one man dying of prostate cancer every hour and 10,000 dying a year, it’s vital we continue to support men, provide information and fund research into the disease. It’s events like these that help us do that.

“It’s clear that passion for cycling runs incredibly deeply in Devon, and we would like to extend a huge thank you to the local community, our volunteers and sponsors, who helped make the Wiggle Jurassic Classic such a great success.”

But the event sparked a 'Prom Wars' debate in Lyme Regis, where a pedestrian who was unaware of the event was knocked over by a cyclist. She suffered a broken leg when she was knocked into a car.

Anette Wakely, 32, told View Online: “We crossed the road. I had my daughter and my friend with me. I had got almost all the way across the road when this bike zoomed down. It came out of no where and I went flying into a car.”

“I don’t even know who the person who knocked me down was. Why couldn’t he just have gone around me?

She said she had not heard about a cycle event passing through the town that day and that there were no marshals on Broad Street warning pedestrians.

Currently there is discussion in the town about opening a cycle path along the Marine Parade, a proposal that Ms Wakely has now spoken out about. She said: “Just stop it! Having a cycle path down along here is not wise. It would be an absolute nightmare."

Town and district councillor, George Symonds, agreed with Ms Wakely.

He said: "There’s no reason why cyclists can’t push their bikes along the seafront, it’s only a few hundred yards."

But Councillor Chris Clipson, argued that Lyme Regis was the only place along the coast that didn’t provide anything for cyclists.

He said: “We have had requests from cyclists who would like to visit Lyme Regis. If we don’t provide anything for them they will turn up and leave straight away. We want to provide for all types of people."