Please click "read more" below for updates to the story: Updated 12/7/10: 06:40hrs

It all started with a simple comment "why don't we do the coast to coast bike ride !!" in the ABB Engineering Services Instrument / Electrical design offices.............and then the planning started. When I realised that you could not get a downhill route from West to East, I looked to set us a manageable route for the more mature gentleman. So we have the "Abridged Coast to Coast"........Arnside to Saltburn on Sea over 3 days (9 -11 July 2010). Both fashionable seaside towns in Victorian times.

For our chosen charity we have selected the Haematology Trust Fund. The Haematology Day Unit in James Cook University Hospital. Teesside provides expert care and treatment for a range of blood disorders both at the hospital and outreach locations. I have personally benefited from their care and dedication with chemotherapy treatment for non-hodgkins lymphoma 7 years ago. More information about this excellent service can be found here:  James Cook Haematology Service

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 - We raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Dave Bramley and the team

Update:

It’s great to see the generosity of friends and colleagues so soon after announcing the web site, so thanks to everyone so far. Team members are taking this challenge serious with a number putting the hard yards in just before the big event.

·        Paul Alton completed the “Whitby Challenge” last weekend. 45 miles over hill and dale and he got there that quickly that he had to wait to get breakfast. Nice one Paul, watch out for those speed cameras !

·        Stan “the mechanic” Rowling did a spectacular 28 miles including Clay bank this weekend. With an average speed around 14 mph. Stan’s setting the pace for others to follow.

 

Hot off the press: Andrew Larder joins the team so we are now back to a full compliment. Andrew is collegue of ours at ABB Engineering Services.

 

Well we get a replacement at the last minute and then go and loose another. Simon Ward a late withdrawl due to work and potential fatigue after his recent 900km ride in Spain !!. Well we will be expecting a good donation Simon.

 

Well it's the night before the, the night before (so to speak.) The main group travel to Cumbria Thurday evening with the hope that the Met offiCe have got it all wrong. Friday morning the hose pipe ban starts in Cumbria and the Met says its going to rain ALL day. Outdoor retailers in Teesside have reported brisk trade today.

 

As mentioned earlier, the main group go tomorrow evening. Mr Paul Alton and a couple of others travelling Friday morning. The reason for this is that Paul is providing chauffer services for his daughters "prom". We expect to see Paul bedecked in his best chauffer livery and we will post here. I am sure that is worth a tenner of anyones money.

 

Well it was completed by everyone !!!! Total miles came out at 123.2 for those who stayed on the correct route (The Kendal detourers extra is now up to 58.4 miles but awaits a official scrutiny !). Well done lads a great effort especially after the soakings we got (All 30 miles of Arnside to Orton and up and down Tan Hill). Some new photos addded. more to follow.