ONE of the region’s biggest annual cycling events has reached the end of the road.

Organisers of the Durham Big Ride say they have reluctantly decided to call it a day after ten years due to funding issues.

A spokesman for the organisers said: “Due to the combination of increased costs and the cuts across the council, Durham County Council will not be able to support the events this year.”

First staged in 2006, the event took place every September with four routes starting in Durham City: a three-mile Little Ride aimed at children; a ten-mile Middle Ride for families; a 25-mile Big Ride for experienced riders and the 50-mile Beast for sports cyclists, which took place two weeks later.

Last year, more than 1,000 cyclists took part, which cost in the region of £10,000 to stage.

Colin Wilkes, director of event organisers Durham Big Ride Ltd, said: “Over the past ten years we have brought a series of mass participation cycle rides appealing to all ages and abilities to Durham City.

“The event has always relied on support from the county council and without it, combined with the increasing traffic management costs and falling numbers, the rides unfortunately we can no longer continue to hold these events.”

He added: “Durham Big Ride team would like to thank everyone who has taken part in, supported or indeed volunteered over the years.

“The thousands of pounds raised for local and national charities has been a great help to them.

“We would like to think that, having taken part, people have kept on cycling and feel better for it.”

Organisers say they plan to stage a new cycling event in the area in June and hope to be able to announce further details in the next couple of weeks.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport services, said: “We have provided funding towards traffic management and assistance with staffing for the Durham Big Ride every year, as one of a number of supporters of the event.

“We have taken the difficult decision not to provide financial support this year, given our reduced funding from the government and the falling numbers of people taking part in the ride year on year.

“We wish organisers of June’s event every success.”