WE DID IT !!!!!!!!!  

Thanks to everyone who took part, helped us on our way and of course, all our sponsors.  We were delighted to achieve what we set out to do, and more so, but of course it would not have been possible without everyone's help.  Thank you all so much!!

from The Team.

What we did:

Loopy BAE SYSTEMS Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) employees are once again going round in circles for charity, cycling 555 miles (893 kilometres) in only 5 days, on a circular route taking in the company's Southern sites - and quite a few ferries - from Monday 16th to Friday 20th June as part of Bike Week 2008!

This is all in aid of Sue Ryder Care, our company's new Charity Partner, and what a great way to get the fundraising wheels rolling!

Monday sees us leaving New Malden and skirting London to the East, heading for the docks at Gravesend and the first ferry of the trip to cross the Thames, landing at Tilbury.  Heading North for the first site visit of the trip at Chelmsford, and then on to the overnight accomodation just outside Stevenage after 125 miles in the saddle.

Tuesday is a day free of ferries and site visits, as we clock up the miles heading very much West to cross the country, passing through the beautiful Cotswolds on the way.  We arrive at Ross-on-Wye after skirting the Severn Estuary with another 120 miles on the meter.

Wednesday, it's passports out for the border crossing into Wales for only the second site visit of the  trip at Cwmbran.  Welsh sightseeing is shortlived as it's back over the Severn Crossing to our third site visit at Filton.  From here, we head towards Dorchester, stopping about 35 miles short in famous Yeovil with a tally for the day of 125 miles.

Thursday, we complete the stretch to Dorchester for our fourth site visit, then to our second ferry, the Sandbanks chain ferry near Swanage and shortly on to our fifth site visit at Christchurch for a lovely cuppa.  We then head for into the wilds of the New Forest to catch our third ferry, taking us from Lymington to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.  Beyond this lies our sixth site visit at Cowes, closely followed by our fourth ferry - the chain ferry between East and West Cowes.  Once across the town, we head for our fifth ferry which takes us back to the mainland, arriving in Portsmouth where we have our seventh site visit at Broad Oak and a relatively modest 105 miles.

Friday sees us head North over the hill to our eighth site visit at Waterlooville before winding our way through the Hampshire countryside to our ninth site visit in time for a decent luncheon at Frimley.  Quickly on to our tenth site visit at Sunbury, then home in time for tea & medals and our eleventh site visit - back where we started all the madness - at New Malden, having ridden a further 80 miles.

So that's it!!  5 days, cycling 555 miles, catching 5 ferries and visiting 11 sites!  You only had to read it - we've got to do it!!

Along the way, some of our colleagues will help out by driving a support van, kindly loaned by the company, carrying water and a spare bicycle.  Our advanced thanks to everyone who will have helped towards making this year's ride an even bigger success than last year, especially to the various sites' facilities staff and other colleagues, who in the background have all volunteered their time and services.

We thank you for visiting our fundraising page - please dig deep and sponsor us online as we will have dug extremely deeply to cycle all that way!!

Our company will match any funds raised, which will provide even more help for Sue Ryder Care.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Sue Ryder Care gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks again for your support.