BIG Bear Ride

The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is hugely excited to announce their BIG Bear Ride, which is being held on Sunday, 21st July. Two intrepid cyclists, Neil and Rolf, from the London Penny Farthing Club will be cycling across the Isle of Wight on their penny farthing bicycles dressed as BEARS! Yes, you heard that right!! Their endeavours are to help us raise funds for the rescue of Benji and Balu, two European Brown Bears who have spent their lives in a concrete cage at the side of a restaurant in Azerbaijan.

The event will start from Albert Cottage in East Cowes at 9am and finish at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown at around 4.30pm. There will be lots of fun activities taking place along the route, including a photo competition, as well as a build a bear sandcastle contest on Appley Beach in Ryde between 10am and 3pm, where you can win one of the Sanctuary’s first ever VIP Bear Experiences.

Everyone is invited to show their support for the BIG Bear Ride team at one of the many designated stops, or give them a wave along the route.

See the planned schedule below:

9AM TO 10AM

Albert Cottage to Isle of Wight Steam Railway – 6 miles

12:30PM TO 1:30PM

Quarr Abbey to The Big Kahuna Cafe in Ryde – 4.4 miles

2PM TO 3PM

The Big Kahuna to The Old Fort in Seaview – 2.1 miles

3:30PM TO 4:30PM

Bembridge Beach to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary – 7.6 miles

They also have lots of fun activities taking place along the route:

10am and 3pm, they will be running a build a bear sandcastle competition on Appley Beach in Ryde. Take a photo of your masterpiece and enter it to them for a chance to win one of the Sanctuary’s first ever VIP Bear Experiences!

Calling all kids! We’re inviting you and your family to join in with our BIG Bear Ride and cycle the two-mile stretch from The Big Kahuna Cafe in Ryde to The Old Fort in Seaview. We’ll be meeting at the Big Kahuna at 1pm. Please remember your helmets!

Have you spotted their Bears on Bikes? Post your photos on social media using the hashtags #BigBearRide and #ProjectBears to enter their photo competition. Don’t forget to tag wildheartanimalsanctuary (IG)

This Island-wide event is sure to be a spectacle, so make sure you don’t miss out! Find out more on their website.