Major update on Gower Bike Ride for 2024 after organiser pulled out

New organisers have been found for the popular annual Gower Bike Ride - so the event will be taking place this summer after all. Kids Cancer Charity, based in the grounds of Cefn Coed Hospital in Swansea, has taken over the reins and confirmed this year's event, which will be the 40th anniversary Gower Bike Ride, will take place on Sunday, August 11, 2024.

It comes after the previous organiser of the event, Swansea-based events firm White Rock Events, confirmed last month it was closing down and would no longer be responsible for the Gower Bike Ride and another popular bike ride event, the Jiffy Cancer 50 Challenge - but fortunately a new organiser has been found for that event too. Scroll down for more information on this.

In an email to people who have registered an interest in taking part in the Gower Bike Ride, a spokesperson for White Rock Events said: "Gower Bike Ride and Swansea Gower Sportive will go ahead in 2024! After our last email letting you know that our journey with the Gower Bike Ride and Swansea Gower Sportive has come to an end, we are delighted to announce that we will be passing the event on to Kids Cancer Charity. The date will be Sunday, August 11, and the website will be open for entries at the beginning of May."

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White Rock Events continued: "This year is the 40th anniversary Gower Bike Ride and the 35th anniversary of Kids Cancer Charity, which is based in Swansea. The charity supports children and families affected by cancer through specialist Play Therapy and care breaks in the UK, Disneyland Paris and Disneyworld Florida. Get the best user experience with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android

"They are based within the grounds of Cefn Coed Hospital in the heart of Swansea. The Rides will continue to start and finish at The Secret and the routes will be the same as 2023. Due to the work on the promenade in the Mumbles, there will be no Junior Gower Bike Ride in 2024 but that will hopefully return when the work is completed in 2025.

"Having been part of the Swansea calendar for so long we hope that you will continue to ride and at the same time support such a great local charity. The charity will be taking over our Facebook pages but we promised when you originally signed-up we would not sell, share or in any way pass your details on to anyone else." Find out about the latest events in Wales by signing up to our What's On newsletter here

Gower Bike Ride 2024

When? Sunday, August 11, 2024

Where? 35-mile route around the Gower peninsula, same route as 2023, starting and finishing at The Secret beach bar and kitchen on Mumbles Road (full map to be released at later date).

Who? All cyclists welcome to take part in the event which will this year be held in aid of Kids Cancer Charity, based in Swansea.

Jiffy Cancer 50 Challenge

When? Sunday, August 18, 2024

Where? The route takes cyclists from Cardiff City stadium to the Lighthouse restaurant at Bracelet Bay in Swansea, past some of south Wales' most beautiful vistas.

Who? All welcome, last year 600 cyclists took part. The Jiffy Cancer 50 Challenge is held in aid of the Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff and the South West Wales Cancer Fund.

Further info:

The Jiffy Cancer 50 Challenge, which raises funds for the Velindre cancer centre in Cardiff and the South West Wales Cancer Fund, will now be managed in-house and run by Carmarthenshire-based not-for-profit organisation Amigos Events Management.

A statement from Swansea Bay University Health Board explained: "A cycling challenge championed by a Welsh rugby legend promises to be bigger than ever when it hits the road for the fourth time this summer. Jiffy's Cancer 50 Challenge, spearheaded by former rugby union and rugby league star Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies, has raised many thousands of pounds for the cancer centres at Velindre and Singleton hospitals.

"Last year an amazing 600 cyclists took part - the biggest turn-out yet- for the hugely popular event. And the hope is that this record will be broken again for the 2024 event, which will take place on Sunday, August 18. Entries are now open for the 50-mile ride, which will set out from Cardiff City Stadium and finish at the Lighthouse restaurant in Swansea's Bracelet Bay. Last year's third annual challenge raised £55,963.75, divided equally between the two charities. The hope is that the 2024 challenge will take the total raised over four years past the £250,000 mark.

"For the first time, Velindre and the South West Wales Cancer Fund are managing the event directly to ensure as much as possible is raised. The challenge is being facilitated by Amigos Events Management, a Carmarthenshire-based, not-for-profit organisation with a strong track record in running similar charity events. Meanwhile, building and civil engineering company, Scott, has come on-board again as headline event sponsor. Cyclists will pay a £100 entry fee, which includes a cycle shirt with an eye-catching new design, a goody bag and medal. All participants are encouraged to raise as much as possible for the charities."

Jiffy added: "I'm delighted that my Cancer 50 bike ride is back for another year! This event, and the charities it supports, are very close to my heart. I need your help to raise as much as possible and help improve cancer services.. Join me for this great ride connecting these two incredible cancer hospitals in our collective effort of tackling cancer in South and West Wales."

Charity director, Paul Davies, further added: "Here at Velindre we are proud to be joining our charity president, Jonathan Davies, in this epic cycling event for its fourth year. This event is now a staple in our fundraising calendar that we look forward to every year. It welcomes cyclists of all abilities and is a great day to support the incredible work here at our cancer centre and the cancer centre at Singleton Hospital.

"At Velindre, we use fundraising from this event to fund a range of roles, projects and services at the cancer centre, including specialist nurses, research into new treatments and patient support services. Your fundraising truly makes a difference and helps us provide above and beyond support for patients and their families in Wales."

To find out more and sign up for the 2024 Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge, go here.