A city famous for its skyscrapers will have a striking new architectural feature in May when the UK Red Empire State 500 rides into Manhattan.

The riders on Rugby League Cares’s epic fundraising adventure will cycle from Niagara Falls to New York City in a stunning kit designed by multi award-winning architectural practice – and Empire State 500 Principal Partners – Studio SDA Architects.

Studio SDA Architects have harnessed the talents of their team of top designers to create the official ride kit, which is based on a stars and stripe design to reflect the American theme of the ride, and incorporates the RL Cares logo in the alternative jersey.

Simon Lewis-Pierpoint, the Managing Director and co-founder of Studio SDA Architects, will again take to the saddle as a member of the Empire State 500 peloton, having completed the UK Red Ride to Wembley from the north of England with RL Cares in both 2018 and 2019.

“As a practice we have been commissioned to create some of the most exclusive luxury properties in the world with some of the most talented and driven architects the industry has to offer.

“Our architects have risen to the challenge of producing the bespoke kit for the Empire State 500. It’s a fantastic fundraising challenge and we think the kit captures the energy and excitement of the event.

“Studio SDA Architects are delighted to support the ride as its Principal Partner. RL Cares does an excellent job across the whole sporting arena and their funds raised will make a real, positive difference to the lives of many people, including the playing community.”

Simon, a former Wigan Warriors and Bradford Bulls player who played his junior rugby in his hometown of Halifax, will join 21 other riders, including ex-England, Great Britain, Bradford and South Sydney star Sam Burgess, on the UK Red Empire State 500.

Head of RL Cares Chris Rostron said: “Simon and his team have done an outstanding job on designing the ride kit and we are delighted to have Studio SDA Architects on board as Principal Partners of the UK Red Empire State 500.

“Simon and Studio SDA Architects have been great supporters of the charity with their involvement in the Ride to Wembley in 2018 and 2019 and we’re delighted that they are continuing our special partnership.”

After attending the Toronto Wolfpack v St Helens fixture on Saturday May 2, the riders will set off from the shadow of the famous Niagara Falls bound for Central Park on a 500-mile off-road cycling challenge.

Over the next four days they will follow the path of the Erie Canal through the historic heart of the Iroquois nation to Albany before heading south through the Catskill mountains and along the Hudson River, arriving in Central Park, Manhattan, on the afternoon of Friday May 8.

Studio SDA Architects were awarded the Northern Design Awards ‘Best Residential Architecture Practice for three consecutive years in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and won Best Residential Architecture Concept in both 2016 and 2017.

To support the work of Rugby League Cares, please sponsor Simon by clicking here

Danny McGuire is preparing to go the extra mile for his former Hull Kingston Rovers team-mate Mose Masoe by joining Rugby League Cares on the charity’s epic fundraising challenge, the UK Red Empire State 500.

Danny will join 22 other riders on the 500-miles cycling adventure from Niagara Falls to Central Park, Manhattan, in May when he hopes to raise over £5,000 for the Samoan international.

Mose is currently being treated in Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, after suffering a serious spinal injury in a freak incident during Hull KR’s pre-season friendly against Wakefield Trinity in January.

Danny drew the curtain on a glittering Super League career at the end of last season after making 465 appearances for Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR, England and Great Britain. He won eight Super League titles with Leeds and helped lift the Challenge Cup twice.

“The UK Red Empire State 500 is going to be incredibly tough for me, I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m expecting it to test my fitness and determination to the limit,” said Danny.

“Any discomfort I feel is nothing compared to what Mose is enduring.

“I was lucky in my career that I never suffered a serious injury and I can’t imagine what Mose and his family must be going through.

“It would be great to raise £5,000 for Mose and his family: it would be even better to smash that target.

“With the help of the Rugby League family we can do it: I know everyone has a lot of demands on their hard-earned cash but this is a very special cause for a very special bloke.”

Danny will join a host of other Rugby League legends on the UK Red Empire State 500, including former England captain Sam Burgess and ex-Kiwi international Robbie Hunter-Paul.

The riders will meet up in Toronto on Saturday May 2 and attend the Wolfpack v St Helens fixture before travelling to Niagara Falls, USA. The following morning, the ride sets off on its 500-mile off-road course through the heart of the Iroquois Nation along the Erie Canal and Appalachian Trail and Hudson valley, arriving in New York City on Friday May 8.

To assist Danny’s magnificent efforts to support Mose Masoe and his family, please  sponsor him via his Justgiving page 

Rugby League Cares is spreading its wings like never before in 2020 with a challenge guaranteed to test our fundraisers to the limit.

Having cycled offroad from the sport’s northern heartland to the Challenge Cup final in each of the last three years, the independent charity’s supporters have raised almost £100,000 on the Ride to Wembley.

But in a year which sees Super League take on a new global identity with the arrival of Toronto Wolfpack, RL Cares is following suit with an amazing North American adventure: the Empire State 500.

On Friday May 1, 20 riders will fly out from Manchester airport bound for Toronto, where they will attend the Super League fixture between the Wolfpack and champions St Helens the following day.

After the game, the riders travel to Niagara Falls, from where they depart on Sunday morning on a 500-mile off-road cycle ride of a lifetime to New York city.

Over the next six days, they will pass through the homelands of the Iroquois nation along the historic Erie Canal and brave the deep forests along the Apalachian trail, home to wild black bears, porcupines, skunk and racoons.

The ride concludes on the afternoon of Friday May 8, when the riders arrive in the evocative Central Park in the heart of Manhattan.

Head of RL Cares Chris Rostron said: “The Empire State 500 is going to be one tough, exciting and unforgettable experience for everyone who takes part.

“Building on the success of Ride to Wembley, we wanted to create a challenge that reflected the pioneering spirit of Rugby League, and the Empire State 500 does just that.

“With Toronto coming into Super League and a New York club set to enter the Championships in the next couple of years, the timing could not be better.

“Although we’re riding on a different continent, the Empire State 500 will share the same three goals as Ride to Wembley: to raise the profile of RL Cares and its work; to give riders and the ride sponsors a positive and enjoyable experience; and to raise as much money as possible for the charity.”

RL Cares has a number of corporate and sponsorship opportunities within the Empire State 500, including the chance to join this fantastic fundraising challenge. If you are interested in supporting the ride, please contact Chris Rostron via chris.rostron@rlcares.org.uk

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