WE MADE IT!!!!  154 miles completed over 17th-18th April, and we all made it back in one piece.  The ride went really well, though not without incident.  The weather was amazing throughout, sunshine all the way, and without the dreaded head-wind.  With fantastic support from the support-team (cups of tea and cake at the stops, a recommended energy boost), we were able to cover the miles, arriving in Salisbury at around 7.30pm on Saturday, and making it to the Royal Berks by around 6.45pm on Sunday. 

We did suffer 4 falls - one spectacular and at high-speed, and three at between 0-1mph - slightly less spectacular and painful.  However - you'll have to find out the details yourself - what happened on the ride, stays on the ride!  We also had around 5 punctures - mostly to one bike, a few chains off, a lots of sore back-sides!  However, it was a fantastic trip, enjoyed by all I think.

Thankyou so much to everyone for donating, and helping us raise such a fantastic amount of money.  We are so pleased that this money will go towards helping a fantastic cause, so thankyou.

 

On the 14th June 2007, my wife Mandie gave birth to our twin girls, Ella and Ruby, at 24 weeks gestation, 16 weeks prematurely.  Despite being born at home, after a hair-raising dash by ambulance to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, being put on ventilators and in incubators and transferred to the Special Care Baby Unit (Buscot Ward), both girls seemed to be doing well.  However, after 36 hours, and after such a brave fight, Ella died.

Ruby fought on, and thanks to the amazing support, dedication and skill of all the staff on the Buscot ward, supported by the available technology, she finally came home after 135 days.  She is now two, doing extremely well and chatting away, and has even been joined by her lovely brother, Max. 

Now, a group of Ruby and Ellas family and friends are undertaking this bike-ride, in memory of Ella, to give something back to BIBS, an amazing charity which supports the Buscot Ward, and the families going through such a difficult time.  They were a huge support to us, and continue to do fantastic and very much needed work.  Severley lacking in fitness, the British Olympic Cycling Team we are not, however, we are setting out to ride a total of 150 miles over two days - riding from Reading to Salisbury (rural route) via Stonehenge, staying overnight, and returning to Reading the following day.

It would be very much appreciated if you could spare anything to sponsor us on this undertaking.  Having any baby is an emotional time, but babies who end up on the Buscot Ward are going through an especially difficult time, and deserve as much support and help as possible to live a fulfilling life. For their families, all their hopes, dreams and plans are suddenly thrown up in the air, their whole world is suddenly focussed on that small incubator, and the work of BIBS, and the Buscot staff, is what helps both babies and families to get through.

Thankyou.

 

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