Many people know ‘Derbados’ as an affectionate name for ‘Derby’, a portmanteau of Derby and Barbados … but it’s also the name of a hugely successful Derby-based cycling team, the HUUB Wattbike Test Team, who beat countries (yes, actual countries!) to win the Men’s Team Pursuit gold medal at the Cycling Track World Championships in London in 2018, firmly securing Derby’s place on the cycling world map!
Since then, Derbados has been synonymous with cycling and The Derbyshire Institute of Sport has been involved in creating and participating in cycling challenges to raise money which helps them to support talented Derbyshire athletes as they strive to become world-class. In 2019 a DIS team of 4 completed 193k in under 6 hours, raising £670 in the process. In 2020 the Derbados Cycle Challenge was born, where riders could choose to cycle 10, 20, 50, or 200 miles … or more! DIS para-athlete Freya Neale clocked up an incredible 300 miles and, overall, a total of £2800 was raised.
The cycling events continued to evolve and in 2022 the first Derbados 5 Park Cycle Challenge took place, a joint venture between the Derbyshire Institute of Sport, HUUB, and Cycle Derby. Starting at Markeaton Park, it covered a total of 5 Derby parks with an 11-mile route around the city. People were invited to join in with some or all of the loop, cycling between 1 and 11 miles around the green spaces of ‘Derbados’! In 2022 the event was a huge success with 250 people spinning their legs around the route. This year, the event returns and the Derbyshire Institute of Sport wants it to be even bigger and better.
DIS founder Chloe Maudsley says, “The Derbados 5 Park Cycle Challenge is a great way to get everyone together to enjoy sport, raise some money and explore our wonderful city parks. The route takes in Markeaton Park, Bass’ Recreation Ground, Alvaston Park, Darley Park, and Markeaton Recreation Ground. Last year people commented on how great it was to see areas of Derby they’d never visited before, as well as the fantastic camaraderie on the day. It’s a lovely, sociable event open to everyone regardless of age or fitness level. There are no prizes for coming first so it’s not a race; everyone who takes part will receive a medal and a Derbados t-shirt to commemorate the day, as well as going home with the great sense of achievement that comes from completing a physical challenge.”
The Derbados 5 Park Cycle Challenge takes place on Sunday 24th September 2023 starting at Markeaton Park from 10 am. You can pre-book your place via ticketsource.co.uk or register on the day. Prices are £20 per adult (16+), £10 for children (u15), or £50 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). All prices include a medal and finisher’s t-shirt. Come and join in the fun and explore Derbados by pedal-power!
https://www.derbyshireis.co.uk/derbados
## ENDS##
Notes to Editor:
- The Derbyshire Institute ofSport is a CommunityInterest Company. Their world-classsupport team works with athletes, coaches, parents,schools and clubs to Develop, Inspire and Support champions through bespokestrength and conditioning, physiotherapy, psychology, nutrition as well asbusiness leadership services.
- Based at Derby Arena, RoyalWay, Derby DE24 8JB
- Further details of theDerbabos 5 Park Cycle Challenge can be found at: https://www.derbyshireis.co.uk/derbados
- For further details about DIS,their athlete programme or sponsorship opportunities, please contact ChloeMaudsley T: 07974 231564 or 01332 418668, E: chloemaudsley@derbyshireis.co.uk, or see derbyshireis.co.uk
Socials: DerbyshireInstitute of Sport: Instagram: @derbyshireinstituteofsport; Facebook @derbyshireinstituteofsport;Twitter @DerbyshireIS; LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/derbyshire-instituteofsport
Let's connect on social
