CARTEN100 is an annual charity ride to Tenby held in early spring. As a fun event and not a race CARTEN100 encourages riders of all abilities to get on their bikes and to take up the challenge of cycling Cardiff to Tenby untimed in a day. The event has grown since 2004 from an initial four riders to its current limit of 2500 riders.

Now in its 15th year, the organisers of CARTEN100 hosted an evening at, “Ride my Bike Cafe” on Park Place to celebrate its fundraising success. David Stealey one of the organisers of CARTEN100 said, “Our 2018 event fundraised a total of £150,000 and we thought we would do things a little differently this year and invite all our sponsors and charities that benefit from CARTEN100 to receive their donation cheques and celebrate with us, all at the same time.”

The organisers took the opportunity to present seven welsh charities with cheques from the sponsorship the riders have raised form this year’s event. These charities included Kidney Wales, Wales Air Ambulance, Pedal Power Latch, Velindre and the Tenovus Cancer Care to name a few. David Stealey went on to say that, “There are also plenty of other really great causes that benefit from CARTEN100 and we have amazing support year on year from Baglan Boys and Girls club, Tenby Sea Cadets and Burry Port RNLI all who help us make the day as safe and as enjoyable as possible”.

Also present at the event at, “Ride my Bike Café” was Paul Edwards, whose son Simon Edwards, had completed CARTEN100 in 2017 with his friends, before passing away five weeks later from Sarcoma Cancer. The fundraising from 2018’s ride is dedicated to Simon, titled, ‘Ride for Simon’ in recognition of his courage and determination.

Simon’s father, Paul Edwards said, “Simon rode the CARTEN100 with his friends several times, lastly and incredibly, about five weeks before we lost him in 2017. This has given us a close affinity with the ride and, although emotional, we were pleased that Peter and the organising team dedicated the ride to Simon this year. This gave his sister, brother, girlfriend Lizzie, friends and loved ones the opportunity not only to raise all they could for some great causes but for everyone to get together for the first occasion outside of some traumatic and sad times to ‘Ride For Simon’ and, remember him in a positive and fun environment. As a family, we were proud to see him linked with the CARTEN and, I hope, we will always have some kind of representation in the CARTEN100, ‘Riding For Simon’; for his memory and to continue the link with the CARTEN100, as a thank you for recognising our son, his strength, spirit and determination to finish that last ride.

In recognition of Simon the two key charities to receive generous donations in 2018 were Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff’s leading centre which supports treatment to cancer patients and their families and Tenovus Cancer Care and their, “Closer to home appeal”. “Closer to home” was a £1 million fundraising appeal for the build and launch of the world largest mobile chemotherapy unit helping people in Wales access cancer treatment more easily in their community.

This mobile unit was unveiled earlier this month at Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay by HRH Princess Anne and the team were delighted to be invited to attend this ceremony. Peter Palmer the organiser of CARTEN100 said it was “Fantastic to meet HRH Princess Anne at the unveiling of the new unit and to represent all of the CARTEN100 riders, sponsors and committee. This unit will make a difference to people’s lives across Wales and it’s been great to attend and celebrate our part in this fundraising success, as well as the fundraising for all the other supported charities from the 2018 CARTEN100 “

The date for 2019’s ride is slightly earlier this year and, on April 27. A newsletter will be sent out at the end this month with the sign-up details and the Facebook page and website will be updated a few days later.

Spirit of CARTEN100

From the outset of CARTEN100 the two main objectives of this fun cycle are to set an achievable challenge for novice riders to encourage them to become fit and enjoy cycling, and to raise money for good causes.

CARTEN100 is not a race, but a fun day out with more experienced riders helping and encouraging those who have less experience and confidence. Each year, riders return fitter and keener and on newer, better bikes but they bring their friends, family and work colleagues with them to enjoy the challenge.

There has always been a great camaraderie between the riders and this is cemented after the event when we encourage the participants and supporters to have a great night out in Tenby wearing the polo shirts, which are awarded to the participants after completing the ride, worn as a ‘badge of honour’.

The CARTEN100 is open to all and all ages and abilities are encouraged to ‘have a go’ having undertaken at least some training, as although it is fun, it is also a challenge as the riders of the ‘marmite year 2013’ found out!

Simon Edwards

Riders have many reasons for doing the CARTEN100, but for 2017 Simon Edwards decided to make it his challenge.

He had been diagnosed two years earlier with sarcoma cancer and the disease was life limiting. Despite this, with a team of friends he completed the ride in May 2017. Sadly Simon died on the 30th June 2017, less than eight weeks after completing the CARTEN100, a month short of his 31st birthday.

The organisers were unaware of Simon’s condition during the ride and were told later. With the permission of Simon’s girlfriend Lizzie, parents Paul and Jan and his brother and sister, Nicola and Jon, they as a committee decided to dedicate the 2018 Fundraising to him in recognition of his courage and determination.

The two main charities for the 2018 CARTEN100  both support people with cancer in South Wales - a fitting legacy for the inspirational effort made by Simon.