June 13, 2025

Pedalling with Purpose: How Sevenoaks Bikes is Supporting Rosemary Shrager’s 450-Mile Charity Ride

Well-known TV chef Rosemary Shrager has swapped her chef’s whites for cycle shorts this summer, as she embarks on an epic 450-mile bike ride across the country to raise money for food charities. The aptly named challenge, Two Wheels for Meals, will see her pedal from Land’s End to Dover, stopping at schools and community kitchens along the way to raise awareness of food insecurity and raise vital funds for the Hendy Foundation in support of food poverty charities across southern England. She set off on Sunday 1st June and will be finishing on Wednesday 18th June.

You’ll agree this is an outstanding feat for a 74-year-old who confesses she hasn’t ridden a bike for 25 years!

Behind the scenes, a local business has been quietly working to make sure Rosemary’s ride goes smoothly. Sevenoaks Bikes, a family-run bike shop and servicing centre in Kemsing, Sevenoaks, has played a pivotal role in setting her up for success – not just with the right bike, but with ongoing support and maintenance, too.

So far she has raised a whopping £25,000 towards her ambitious £100,000 target!

From Test Ride to Touring Setup: How It All Started

Based in Kemsing, Sevenoaks Bikes is no ordinary cycle shop – it’s the result of nearly 20 years of electric bike innovation, founded by David Miall. Whilst the shop was opened in 2023, the Wisper e-bike brand was founded by the same duo two decades before. With their guidance, Rosemary is now pedalling across the south of England on an electric bike designed for comfort, performance and endurance.

“I knew absolutely nothing about electric bikes but saw Wisper were a local company with a great reputation and phoned David (Wisper CEO) out of the blue. David said yes to supporting me before I had even finished asking for what I needed! Wisper have been the most incredible support and I will be forever grateful.” – Rosemary Shrager

To prepare for such a demanding route, Rosemary needed a reliable and supportive training bike. Sevenoaks Bikes supplied her with the Wisper 705, a comfortable, easy-to-mount electric step-through bike ideal for building strength and endurance in the lead-up to the big event. The 705 model offered just the right balance of stability and power to help Rosemary gain confidence on two wheels after many years away from cycling.

For the official ride itself, Rosemary is using the Wisper Wayfarer M7 – a powerful, rugged electric bike designed specifically for long-distance touring. With a 100Nm mid-drive motor, 700Wh battery, and integrated thumb throttle, it’s capable of tackling hilly terrain and long stretches with ease. The M7 also features full mudguards, hydraulic disc brakes, integrated lights and a pannier rack, making it a perfect choice for carrying luggage and staying safe on the road in varying weather conditions.

“I am totally in love with the Wayfarer! The balance feels wonderful. It feels incredibly sturdy. I just absolutely love it, I cannot describe it. It feels like an extension of my body. I love having the throttle to get me started. As I have got fitter I no longer need the top power to get up the hills I just focus on my legs and try and think of a new recipe.” – Rosemary Shrager

Community and Charity at the Core

Supporting Rosemary Shrager’s 450-mile cycle isn’t about publicity – it’s about purpose. At its heart, this campaign is a response to a growing crisis: food poverty. With over 11% of UK households and 17% of children living in food-insecure conditions, the funds raised will be distributed by the Hendy Foundation to food banks, pantries and food recycling organisations across the south of England.

For Sevenoaks Bikes and Wisper – the alignment was immediate. “The essence of Wisper is access,” the team explains. “We design bikes that give people freedom and independence – this campaign is about giving people access to something even more fundamental: food. Of course it’s the right thing to do.”

As the ride gains momentum, so too does local and national interest. With media coverage from outlets like the BBC and Radio Kent, and the promise of celebrity guests joining along the route, the excitement is growing – and people are planning to cycle alongside Rosemary as she passes through their area. “The response has been brilliant,” says the team. “Rosemary is such a genuine and warm face for the campaign. She cares deeply, and that really comes across.”

Seeing their Wisper e-bike featured in such a high-profile, meaningful campaign is a proud moment for Sevenoaks Bikes – but not an unfamiliar one. “We’ve never been part of anything quite this public before,” they say, “but working on community and charity projects has always been part of our DNA. From modifying e-bikes for people with disabilities to supporting local initiatives, we’ve always believed e-bikes can be life-changing.”

CONCLUSION: More Than a Ride

This ride is about more than a bike, it’s a reminder that when people work together – whether they’re riding, fundraising, fixing bikes or cheering from the sidelines – real change is possible. Because in the end, whether you’re donating, riding, repairing or simply sharing the story, every turn of the wheel helps move the mission forward.

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UPCOMING: Cooking Demonstration with Rosemary Shrager – Tunbridge Wells

When? Sunday 16th June at 7pm
Where? Hendy Kia, Kingstanding Business Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3UP

Join celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager for a special evening in support of the fight against food poverty as she finally lands in Kent. This stop in Tunbridge Wells will feature an uplifting family-on-a-budget cooking demonstration and is a fantastic opportunity to meet Rosemary in person, hear more about her cycling journey, and learn why this cause is so close to her heart. Guests will also be treated to delicious tasters of her recipes on the night. Everyone is welcome to attend and show their support.

Tickets are £10 per person, with all proceeds going directly towards tackling food poverty.

To secure your place, book your ticket here.

How You Can Follow and Support the Ride

You can follow Rosemary Shrager’s journey on social media via @rosemary.shrager and visit the Two Wheels For Meals fundraising page to donate or learn more.