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Target: £1,500.00
Raised so far: £1,657.00
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My story

 

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Yep, we’ve all done it. What starts as a general chit-chat turns in to a half-baked idea, usually over a few drinks, and 20 minutes later you come away thinking ‘What on earth have I let myself in for?’ What is strange on this occasion is that the only substance involved was caffeine!


 

During a coffee break at work the discussion turned to cycling and before you know it we have gone past the point of no return and signed ourselves up for a Coast to Coast (C-2-C) bike ride.


 

This is the most popular bike ride challenge in the UK and involves cycling from the West coast of England to the East coast of England via The Lake District and The Pennines. You start by dipping your rear tyre in the Irish Sea and finish the challenge by dipping your front tyre in the North Sea. There are a couple of alternative routes, but the one we have settled on goes from Whitehaven to Sunderland, a distance of around 133 miles – however, it is not the distance that is the problem, it’s the topography. The C2C goes through some of the most beautiful (and sometimes bleak!) landscapes in England and the route takes in plenty of hills and mountains along the way.

Some lesser men choose to do the route with support vehicles but 'Where’s the challenge in that?' we asked. Our bikes will be fitted with racks and panniers so we will lug all our gear with us.

Our itinerary is

TRAVEL – August 11th.
Cycle from home to Warrington Bank Quay station and catch the train to Carlisle, change at Carlisle for Whitehaven. Overnight accommodation in Whitehaven.
CYCLE DAY 1 – August 12th.
After Iain blows out the candles on his birthday cake, which may unfortunately take rather a long time, we cycle from Whitehaven to Penrith (via Keswick). Distance approx 53 miles. A pretty hilly day.
CYCLE DAY 2 – August 13th.
After an overnight stop we tackle the shortest but toughest section from Penrith to Allenheads, during which time we will take in the highest café in England at Hartside Top http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/hartsidetop.html
Distance approx 35 miles. A very hilly day!
CYCLE DAY 3 – August 14th.
By now we can smell an ice cold beer waiting for us as we set off from Allenheads to complete the final section from Allenheads to Sunderland. Distance approx 45 miles, hopefully some of it downhill to the East Coast. Overnight in Sunderland, where we will visit local museums, places of historical interest, perhaps some brass rubbing in local churches…
TRAVEL – August 15th.
Home to our loved ones. Cycle to Sunderland metro station. Train from Sunderland to Newcastle, Newcastle to Carlisle, Carlisle to Warrington. Cycle from Warrington Bank Quay station to home.
Job done!

 

Our chosen Charity is CANTreat which helps to improve the quality of the treatment environment for all NHS cancer patients.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Big big thanks to Pat, Molly, John & Siobhan McParland (and baby Donegan too!). John - great to see you yesterday, hang in there & get well soon!!! Donation by Iain McParland 05/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A big "Thanks!" to The Marathon Man, John Davenport, for generous support and words of encouragement. Hope to see you for a pint soon..! Donation by Iain McP 29/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

"Cheers", and a big thank you to my cousin David Beesley and wife Rita for their very kind donation and for following our travails via the blog!!! Donation by Iain McParland 14/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done all of you - and for raising such a fantastic amount! Donation by Karen Houslay 28/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Thanks Anita Donation by Paul Cook 27/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well Done guys, hope you enjoyed it. Alan and all at DENCA Donation by Alan Brennan 25/08/09  

£50.00

Many thanks to Eric, Carol, and Tracy Darlington for their kind donations, very much appreciated!!! Donation by Iain McP 20/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done fellas x Donation by Emma Cook 18/08/09  

Well done boys!!! Donation by Peter Fan 17/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

And I will cycle 150 miles and I will cycle 150 more, just to be the man......sing it with me, lol. Best of luck Donation by Andrea Cullen 13/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best... Donation by Amarender R Donthidi 12/08/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Wayne Murray 11/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

The three wise men?......I don't think so, good luck lads!! Donation by David Morris 11/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best!! Donation by Abu Ahmed 10/08/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck wishes from the green isle.. hope you don't get our kind of weather along the way...! Donation by Paul McCartan 10/08/09  

£5.00

Bikes for a pub crawl? Brave, very brave. Best of luck with those bike seats gents. Enjoy. Donation by Shaun Robbins 08/08/09  

£12.00

Big thanks to Eddie Oliver and Des Pearce who I mugged while they were enjoying a quiet pint in the Church View! Donation by Iain McP 08/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by john downs 07/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck guys, have a fab time, but watch out for those saddle sores! Donation by Laura Hind 07/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Heap & Partners 06/08/09  

£100.00

Our kid 'll win ... he's got the fattest legs !! Donation by AMcP 02/08/09  

Best of luck lads Donation by Paul Glossop 01/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Iain's going to win because he's on a promise when he gets home Donation by Jo McParland 29/07/09  

Pauls great and he'll win! From Paul's Wife Donation by Jill Cook 29/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Joan Cook 28/07/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Julia Smith 28/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best wishes from your friends on the TEVA USA Customs Compliance Team! Donation by Heather Conner-Garofalo 27/07/09  

£50.00

Paul says he's going to win. Tortoises and hares (and I'm doing more training than him!) ;0) Donation by McP 23/07/09  

That's really nice of you. Good luck to you all. Donation by fiona choi 23/07/09  

£10.00

Foget what Paul says - you're all winners Donation by Grumpy 17/07/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £792.00
  Offline donations: £865.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £146.67

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