In just over a week all 120 places were filled, with each cyclist committing to raise a minimum of £750 for the Keep It Up campaign!
Echoing David and Christoph’s route, cyclists will be asked to travel from Dortmund in Germany to Huddersfield Town to raise funds for the Keep It Up campaign, which generates funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Huddersfield Town Academy.
The journey will begin on the afternoon of Tuesday 2 May 2017, when the cyclists will depart Town’s PPG Canalside training complex on coaches heading for Hull. At approximately 7pm, they will board a ferry to Rotterdam.
Upon arrival on the following day, the coach journey will continue to Dortmund; around 160 miles in total.
Arriving at noon, the cyclists will then begin the journey home from outside Borussia Dortmund’s impressive Westfalenstadion – cycling around 45 miles to the first overnight stop of Wesel.
The second leg, on Thursday 4 May, will see cyclists cross the border into the Netherlands, with the day ending at the city of Nijmegen around 42 miles later.
Friday 5 May is the longest leg for the cyclists, spanning 88 miles across the Netherlands to Rotterdam in time for the evening ferry back to Hull.
On the morning of Saturday 6 May, the final leg sees cyclists make the return journey from Hull to Huddersfield, ending at PPG Canalside in a pie and peas celebration; around 80 miles in total.
The now traditional lap of honour will still take place at the final game of the season a day later when Wagner’s side hosts Cardiff City at the John Smith’s Stadium in a noon kick-off. Cyclists will meet up at PPG Canalside at 11am and travel to the stadium together.
The Club is now putting together a waiting list of cyclists, so if you’d like to put your name down to be a replacement if a cyclist drops out please email andy.booth@htafc.com. If you get a place on the ride, you’ll still need to fill in sign-up and medical forms and pay a £250 registration fee, which covers hotels and the ferry crossing.
As per the initial 120 places, places on the waiting list will be assigned on a first come, first served basis – so don’t delay!
Club Ambassador Andy Booth commented:
“We all know that the Pedal for Pounds announcement is one of the most anticipated dates in the calendar, but the level of interest in ‘The Wagner Way’ has been totally unprecedented. Thanks to every one of the 120 cyclists who filled the ride within a week of the announcement.
“We always work hard to make the rides different and I think the Wagner Way from Dortmund has captured the imagination of our supporters. Several fans suggested this as a possibility since the day David and Christoph joined us in November 2015 and we’ve tried to take care of every detail to make things as easy as possible for the riders this time around.
“As always, thanks to all the volunteers and staff that are volunteering their time to make the ride possible – as well as everyone who came to the launch evening at PPG Canalside.”
Plans are also afoot to hold a shortened ride from Hull to Huddersfield on the Saturday to give more supporters the chance to take part. Full details on this shorter ride will follow on htafc.com in the New Year.
This season’s ride is being held in association with Made by Cooper; a local company with respected worldwide reputation for quality and design.
Based in Lion Chambers in Huddersfield, St George’s Square, the company creates enamel lapel pin badges, patches, medals, toys and much more, with a team of professional designers to help realise your ideas.
Made by Cooper ships worldwide, with about 40% of customers in the USA. It works with all types of clients, from individuals that want keepsakes for their wedding day, to international companies such as BBC, ITV, HSBC, Tate Modern, Warner Bros, and many more including the Town Foundation.
The Club’s previous Pedal for Pounds bike rides have contributed over £1 million to the total raised for the campaign since its inception in 2009.
If you want to donate some money to the ride, please visit www.justgiving.com/keepitupcampaign or text KIUP99 £5 (or any other amount) to 70070!