Four management team members participating in various cycling events, including Boudicca Sportive 30 Mile (Sunday 19th May),  Norwich 100/50 25 Mile (Saturday 1st June) and London to Brighton Bike Ride 54 Mile (Sunday 16th June). 

Team: Craig Matthews, Rob Lang, Graham Leggett & Steve Turney.

The story so far:

Boudicca Sportive - 19 May 2013

On a bright but fresh Sunday morning in May three members of the Movac charity cycling team made their way towards Attleborough in Norfolk to complete the Boudicca Sportive.

Following a slight detour by two of the team (when their Sat Navs tried to direct them via the cycle only entrance to the venue) Craig Matthews, Rob Lang and Steve Turney arrived at the field car park at the World Horse Welfare head quarters at Snetterton.

After signing in for the event they were presented with a collection of: timing chip to be mounted on their shoe for the day (to record the event time), energy bar for that extra boost if needed and commemorative Boudicca Sportive event sport water bottle, they saddled up and headed towards the start gate.

The sun was a welcome accompaniment as the three followed the route from Snetterton North via picturesque Norfolk villages winding towards the rest stop at Shipdham. After passing an unexpected parked Movac delivery van (they get everywhere!) a welcome snack stop and drink was provided by the event organisers.

Once being suitably refreshed the trio pedalled off back towards the event HQ, the journey back passed surprisingly quickly and in no time all they were back to the car park to dismount.

Following a quick bite to eat at the cafe for lunch and a celebratory slap on the back the three headed home to take advantage of the remaining sunshine.

Norwich BHF Sportive – 1 June 2013

It was a dull breezy Saturday morning when Craig Matthews, Steve Turney and Graham Leggett arrived at the multi storey car park meeting point in Norwich for the Norwich BHF Sportive charity cycle event.

After cycling down from floor 4 to the exit they pedalled the mile to the start of the event which was the Norwich Cathedral grounds in the centre of Norwich.

The intrepid three joined the throng after being presented with the route map and waited for the starting ribbon to be cut at the announcers’ request before the melee began.

The initial route took them North out of Norwich in the Saturday morning traffic and resulted in a few stops for traffic lights as the peloton unfolded, Graham however although seeming to have expert eyes for colour matching seemed to have some trouble identifying the colour of the traffic lights!

Heading north into the strong headwind the outward journey towards Reepham was proving a little tougher on some than imagined and they all looked forward to the point where the course was going to change direction, although strangely when this happened the wind seemed to move and keep up its resistance.

After 18 miles the snack stop loomed and a quick 5 minute break was taken before the cycle back to Norwich with by now the wind at their backs helping them along.

Arriving back at the Cathedral they were greeted with cheers (although Graham complained to the crowd that they needed to be louder) before crossing the finishing line and collecting a BHF certificate and medal for completing the event.

After cycling back up the multi storey car park to their vehicles the team relocated to a local watering hole where a swift Pint was enjoyed by all along with a massive double burger and chips by Graham! 

BHF London to Brighton – 16 June 2013

During Saturday 15 June Steve Turney, Rob Lang, Graham Leggett and Craig Matthews four members of the Movac charity cycle team arrived at their chosen overnight accommodation of a Hotel at Streatham Hill in preparation for the following days event the BHF London to Brighton Bike ride.

After meeting up it was an easily made decision to proceed to a local Italian restaurant that evening to stock up on “carbs” from the pasta for the next days challenge. After a fantastic meal where some of the teams “carb intake” came more in a Peroni liquid format than from the pasta they returned to the Hotel hoping for a good nights sleep.

Breakfast which the Russian cooks provided in the hotel was a choice of “Full English” or “Full English” and resulted in the team just having Fried Eggs on Toast prior to leaving at 7.45am for the 1.5 mile cycle to the start at Clapham Common.

At the start they met up with Dave Wright and Ernie Hartley (MD and Sales Director Sherwin Williams UK Coatings Ltd) who were going to complete the event along with the Movac team before rolling through the start gate at 8.30am in overcast conditions.

The sheer number of competitors taking part meant that the route out of London was slow and was also punctuated by the stopping of this vast peloton at traffic lights to delay progress towards Brighton which was to continue in this manner all day.

A happy throng of cyclists made steady progress riding a multitude of steeds from “Choppers” to Cross training bikes dressed in a variety of costumes from “Where’s Wally” to Superman.

Unfortunately during the progress out of London with all of the traffic congestion the Movac team split into two groups comprising of Craig Matthews, Graham Leggett and Dave Wright in the lead and followed further down the peloton by Steve Turney and Rob Lang, although looking out for the other team nether managed to find each other during the rest stops during the remainder of the day only joining again after the finish line.

The weather played its part also with the overcast cloud leading to a period of an hour or so light rain before finally clearing into sunshine, for the run in towards Brighton, however this did not dampen the spirits.

The arrival into Brighton like the whole of the event was marshalled superbly well and the final dash along the marine parade in the sunshine to a vast cheering crowd was a site to behold prior to receiving the BHF competitors’ medal.

Although taking over 6 hours because of the hold ups on route all of the team thoroughly enjoyed the event and Craig was particularly pleased that he had managed to cycle up all of the hills including the infamous Ditchling Beacon even beating seasoned mountain biker Dave Wright to the top.

Footnote

The team would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed so far towards our target of raising £4,000 for this very worthwhile charity. 

We shall continue to participate in more Cycle Sportives this year until we have reached our target for the British Heart Foundation.

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