The Region is supporting the Summer Solstice Bike Ride - one of the 2009 Spoon Challenges fundraising events - by offering its ground as a start point and joins the likes of Gloucester, Bristol, Bath, Harlequins, London Irish and Worcester RFCs. It is also entering players and staff members and urging its fans to take part in the event, which is open to cyclists of all abilities aged 16 and over.

"Cardiff Blues are very supportive of the work done by the Wooden Spoon who were our nominated charity last season. They do a lot to promote the game of rugby alongside excellent work with underprivileged kids," said Cardiff Blues Captain Paul Tito.

"This exciting event certainly puts the fun into fundraising and we're really hoping our fans will get behind it, because if they support this cycle ride like they support us on match days, we'll raise a great deal of money for community projects around the country."

Everyone taking part in the Summer Solstice Bike Ride pledges to raise at least £300 in support of Wooden Spoon's work with mentally, socially and physically disadvantaged young people and can choose their own start point.

This has an impact on how tough the Challenge is, because anyone setting out from Cardiff will cycle 98 miles in the day.

Although the terrain will vary depending on the start point, most routes will incorporate minor roads, tow paths, tracks and National Cycle Network routes promoted by Sustrans, so mountain bikes or road bikes with cyclo cross tyres will be the order of the day. Each Challenger will be required to carry front and rear lights plus cycle repair kits and must wear a helmet.

Staggered starts will avoid congestion as cyclists get underway and there will be marshals and support riders at pit stops en route to urge the riders on to the finish. Wooden Spoon is also designing the routes and schedule to ensure that all entrants arrive at Barbury Castle, the site of an Iron Age hill fort on the northern edge of the Marlborough Downs, by 10.00pm - when darkness falls.

A celebration barbecue and entertainment will be held in a tented village at the finish site, with a special solstice breakfast served at sunrise. Challengers can choose to camp at the finish site overnight or take up accommodation nearby and return transportation to the start points will be available on the Sunday morning.

"Wooden Spoon is rugby's charity so we're delighted that the Summer Solstice Bike Ride has received such an enthusiastic thumbs-up from so many clubs and hope the endorsement of the Cardiff Blues will encourage the fans to turn out and support us in huge numbers," says organiser Katharine Brindley.

You can sign up for the Summer Solstice Bike Ride - or any of the other Spoon Challenges, which include the ever-popular Four Peaks Challenge and Ford Ranger Great Lakeland Challenge team events - at http://www.spoonchallenges.com/

Alternatively, contact the Wooden Spoon Challenge Office on 01889 582889 or email spoonchallenges@eventsunlimited.co.uk for the cycle ride information pack and entry forms.