EVENT REPORT!!

 

We made it! Just... There were ups and there were downs but well done to everyone in the team who showed a steely determination to get to the East Coast.

The first day went almost without a hitch. A pleasant lunch was had by all at Fountains Abbey and we made excellent time on the flat lanes north of Ripon, through Black Sheep country (no pints of ale today Ian!) and on to Bedale, Catterick Garrison and Richmond. Sixty miles in all. However the steep streets of Richmond almost saw the undoing of Trevor after a bout of the dreaded cramp. Fortunately our B&B was just around the corner and a good feed at the Black Lion saw us right.

The second day started with a puncture and light rain but despite the ominous looking clouds, the rain was thankfully short-lived. Indea had joined us on the second day and spirits were high... but then we had to negotiate the moor roads to Stanhope where we would join the Coast to Coast route. Let's just say it was a bit of a grind! A timely pub appeared for lunch and despite being about twenty miles from where we'd planned to take lunch (Consett!), we were still confident of finishing the ride.

We reached Stanhope and Trevor relished the prospect of yet another hill out of the village :) The Waskeley Way was a refreshing change from the tarmac lanes and we swooped down to Consett with the wind behind us. After our final puncture, we were all set for the final push to Sunderland when it started to get dark.... The signs were telling us twenty miles to Sunderland and it wasn't going down very quickly! With five miles to go it was pitch black and with one decent light amongst us, our pace dropped right down. Foxes, bats and suspicious Chavs joined us briefly for the ride but after nearly nine hours in the saddle and seventy five miles (ouch!) we trundled into South Hylton and the arms of a superb welcome from the staff there.

Thanks to all who were invovled in this event and especially those who donated to this worthy cause. Who knows what challenges lay ahead for next year!

 

Andy, Trevor, Ian and Indea.

PS Please keep donating as we have almost reached our aim to raise £1000.

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page. We are raising money for the Welbodi Partnership whose aim is to support the provision of paediatric care in Sierra Leone. Please check out their website which gives further information on this charity whose mission is to improve the dreadful child health statistics in the country.

As part of its 20 year celebrations, RTC North (Sunderland) has arranged a Corporate dinner in support of this charity on 10th November 2009. Tickets now available! RTC North (Yorkshire) is showing support by cycling from its Leeds office to the Sunderland office in two days starting on 18th October. This is about 120 miles and will be a significant challenge for the seven members of our team. Please dig deep and show your support by donating all you can.

Thanks,

RTC North (Yorkshire)

 

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