Think of a typical landscape in our county, rolling and green and punctuated every few miles by a little stone tower or spire; or think of a city street with the big Victorian church at the end of the terraces. 

Churches are usually the best buildings in their neighbourhood. They are centres of spiritual and community life of course but they are also much-loved local landmarks and they bring art and craftsmanship even into the most mundane places. And they are history books telling the often centuries-long stories of their villages, towns or suburbs, calm centres at the heart of busy modern life. 

But these buildings are maintained thanks to the efforts of a few dedicated members of the church communities who often spend many thankless hours fundraising for repair and upkeep of buildings which we all enjoy, even as part of the familiar journey to work or the local shops. 

Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust exists to give a helping hand to local church communities across all Christian denominations. The relatively small grants offered by the Trust can pump-prime bigger funding campaigns or top up funds raised to reach the total needed. The Trust gives a helping hand to those dedicated church communities and Ride and Stride is the Trust's major fundraising effort of the year. That's why I'll be oiling the chain and pumping up the tyres and going out on my bike on September 10.