What can I say?
Just arrived home at the end of one of the most memorable days I've ever had.
We set off from Stamford Bridge at 9.30am and went at 16-17 mph to Pocklington in 30 mins - what a blast!
From there up onto the Wolds and one of 2 proper climbs for the day at Huggate.
The descent off the top was a joy - with the group gracefully rolling along at 20mph plus before coffee at Hutton Cranswick!
Into Driffield and tired limbs on into Nafferton before the 2nd climb of the day near Burton Agnes.
And finally the descent into Bridlington - fittingly together as a group lead out by Dave Wilkinson for an emotional last leg along the Prom, an outpouring, some fantastic photos, memories to linger long, followed by a paddle/swim in the sea, a fish n chip tea before journey back in the bus.
It would be wrong to single anyone out so I'll go through the entire cast:
Mick Thawley - Driver, chef, general good egg and one of the nicest, most obliging men you'll ever meet - an absolute pleasure to spend a long weekend with. Mick thanks for everything!
Ian Fulcher - Motorcycle outrider, my best mate, and again general good egg - thanks more than I can ever say!
Cas "magic hands" - thanks for your soothing touch, warmth and good humour - and for making the big, big journey to be with us - you're a special person;
Leigh Rice - how anyone could tackle all those hills on a double crank, not even a compact, never mind a triple - top man, take a bow;
Neil "it's for the children" Tiddy - never in any doubt - spent much of the weekend up the front in a sugar induced craze - the heartbeat of the team - Neil you are a star!
Marnie "potty mouth" Brown - If anyone epitomises what this weekend is all about it's Marnie - a heart as big as Texas and who over the course of 3 months has turned hersrelf into a proper, proper cyclist;
Claire and Rob - the organisers and the ones to keep us on task - thank you so much;
Jack Torn - sorted, sorted, sorted - never far from the front and top, top man - cheers Jack;
Preston Thomas - another heartbeat for our team - a joy to be with and someone who appeared to thoroughly enjoy the occasion;
Georgie Bore - our driving force and enthusiast - again never far from the front and top girl;
Al Elkins - Mr Fixit and always driving us forwards;
Dave Wilkinson - the true heartbeat of our team. Grit and determination personified - reading the text from his son Tom midway through the 3rd day was a true highlight and defining moment of the trip.
"Thank you" doesn't seem enough - but "Thank you" anyway - it's been a pleasure and provided memories that will linger long.
In the end for me it's about human spirit, togetherness and working to a common goal - bless you all. Now catch up on your sleep - and enjoy the rest of the break.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Monday, 25 July 2011
Lshs Coast to coast. Final dip
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZF9V7yxlxs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Ian Fulcher
07958 901682
Day 2 done!
72 miles - I'm absolutely gob-smacked and struggling for words. After setting off from Grassington at 9am we endured a tough tough morning. Warmed up by a testing climb to Stump Cross caves, the descent into and climb out of Pately Bridge were scary and scary respectively! Eventually topping off the Pennines via a short, steep climb that can only be described as bloody hard, we finally (after 25 miles) began our descent to Ripon, via lunch beautifully prepared by Mr Thawley at Fountains Abbey. The trip from there, through Ripon and on towards York was a blast with Mr Tiddy leading a breakaway on the front. After a tea stop and some repairs we pushed on into York, passed the Minster and eventually our stop in Stamford Bridge.
An amazing day - and a privilege to spend in the company of 12 workmates and friends. 72 miles with the morning we had would be equivalent to 90 or 100 east anglia miles.
Finally - the winner of today's yellow jersey is Mr Tiddy - well done Neil.
Just 50 miles left - looks like we're gonna actually finish this off. Tune in tomorrow for the latest progress and updates as well as posting your comments.
An amazing day - and a privilege to spend in the company of 12 workmates and friends. 72 miles with the morning we had would be equivalent to 90 or 100 east anglia miles.
Finally - the winner of today's yellow jersey is Mr Tiddy - well done Neil.
Just 50 miles left - looks like we're gonna actually finish this off. Tune in tomorrow for the latest progress and updates as well as posting your comments.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Day 1 done!
After a large and leisurely breakfast we set off from Preston to Morecombe to begin our epic journey at 11.15. Riding together as a well drilled group we rode through Morecombe and Lancaster out into the beautiful Trough of Bowland. As the roads became quieter our pace and moods lifted in the fantastic rolling scenery (think Postman Pat scenery). Through Wray and Clapham, some of us taking in a bit of mountainbiking (on road bikes) before passing the famous 3 peaks, Austwick before dropping into Settle for a late lunch. The road out of Settle was seriously seriously steep had all but Wilson, Elkins and Torn walking! The decent though (from Rye Loaf hill) was absolutely amazing (author reaching 51 mph). On through Airton and Cracoe, ending just short of Grassington and 50 miles with day 1 done!
For his consistent breakaways off the front alongside the pros Wilson and Elkins
today's yellow jersey goes to Jack Torn! Chapeux!
Tomorrow will be fun - much earlier start - many more miles....and more importantly many more hills!
Please, please comment and contribute - your additions make us all laugh!
Photos to follow!
Cheers!
For his consistent breakaways off the front alongside the pros Wilson and Elkins
today's yellow jersey goes to Jack Torn! Chapeux!
Tomorrow will be fun - much earlier start - many more miles....and more importantly many more hills!
Please, please comment and contribute - your additions make us all laugh!
Photos to follow!
Cheers!
Friday, 22 July 2011
It starts
On Friday 22.7.11 at 3pm, after an EDP photocall, our intrepid bunch of heroes, less your author and his motorcycling mate, set off from Long Stratton destined for Preston. At 8pm bus arrives, at 10.45 pm author and motorcycling mate arrive. Bring on tomorrow!
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Bike packed, sponsorship flooding in, almost there ..
Yesterday we shattered our sponsorship target of £2,000 by going through the £3,000 - an amazing effort and still 2 sleeps to go!
If ever our small team needed inspiration to go with our excitement and nervousness just look at our online sponsorship page http://www.justgiving.com/John-Wilson10 and scroll down to the comments alongside 3 lots of £5 from each of the Wilkinson's children Thomas, Eleanor and Joseph. Not ashamed to say I cried like a baby and enough emotion to help push us over the Himalayas never mind the Pennines!
Immensely proud also of the pupils of Long Stratton High who have raised well over £500 in the last few days from non-uniform day, cake sales and bucket collection at the production.
Bike and kit now packed......can't wait for Saturday morning, bring it on!
If ever our small team needed inspiration to go with our excitement and nervousness just look at our online sponsorship page http://www.justgiving.com/John-Wilson10 and scroll down to the comments alongside 3 lots of £5 from each of the Wilkinson's children Thomas, Eleanor and Joseph. Not ashamed to say I cried like a baby and enough emotion to help push us over the Himalayas never mind the Pennines!
Immensely proud also of the pupils of Long Stratton High who have raised well over £500 in the last few days from non-uniform day, cake sales and bucket collection at the production.
Bike and kit now packed......can't wait for Saturday morning, bring it on!
Friday, 15 July 2011
The reason for the ride
Thomas Wilkinson was admitted to Addenbrooke's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in early January this year. The hospital and all the staff were superb in looking after him and treating his suspected Meningitis. He came through a very tough ordeal and was termed both a fighter & a miracle. He is now back in school fulltime and playing sport as he did prior to his illness. We would like to repay (in some small way) the hospital for its care and hopefully raise funds for some more equipment they are always in need of. Thankyou for your support!
The Wilkinson Family
Colleagues and friends are doing a bike ride between 23-25th July 2011. We are cycling coast-to-coast from Morecambe to Bridlington 170 mikes across the UK. Training has started....
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.+-
The Wilkinson Family
Colleagues and friends are doing a bike ride between 23-25th July 2011. We are cycling coast-to-coast from Morecambe to Bridlington 170 mikes across the UK. Training has started....
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.+-
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