RIDE COMPLETED!!

For the week leading up to the ride there was an ominous looking weather front coming onto the west coast bringing rain, lots of it. We had set up a WhatsApp group with all the riders on and the chat centred around the grim forecast. Most of us are fair weather, occasional cyclists so we prepped for torrential downpours with stoicism.

Conversations around gear meant that we all turned up in cycling shorts, rain jackets and waterproof boots if we had them. I’d assured the new riders that wearing underwear wasn’t the done thing. Ross was still sceptical that cyclists would willingly go commando when donning lycra alone was enough to lose the last shred of dignity he had. It’s funny what you get used to.

Waking up on the morning of the 22nd July, it was predictably very wet and I got a soaking just getting to Bramhall High for 5:40. “What f..ing idiot would organise a day long bike ride in this” I said to Andy when I saw him. Still, we loaded our bikes with more ease than expected and Nick and Debbie pulled up in the VW green camper support van that would be our saviour.

The journey was clear and quick despite the torrential rain causing every car to max out their windscreen wiper speed. We arrived in Conwy around 7:30 and made use of the bus toilet for a last minute visit to spend a penny. One deposit was sadly too much for the compact toilet.

Getting everyone together for a start line photo, with Conwy castle in the background was like herding cats. Prepping for a long ride involves inordinate amounts of faffing and this meant we only just managed to set off at 8am heading into a light drizzle, hurray!

Unlike the route 2 years ago I’d tacked on another 15 miles which means heading for marine drive around the Great Orme headland. Billed as one of the finest scenic rides you can do I expected us to just about see the rider in front of us. It was a pleasant, if much hillier, surprise. I thought it was relatively flat and told Steve F, so imagine his surprise when there was around 130m of climbing. oops. There were some great views even when we rounded the headland to face a full on rainy gale. Heading back east from the Great Orme we went into Llandudno Andy M, Kieran and others almost did a second lap were it not for some hollering by riders on the right track.

The route then followed the promenade nearly 20 miles through Llandudno and Colwyn Bay, riding super smooth bike pavements past victorian hotels and amusements and caravans on our right, cold water swimmers, camper vans and runners on our left. We arrived around 10am at our cafe stop, The Harbour hub in Rhyll.

After a very early start most of us needed a bacon or sausage sandwich and a cup of coffee while we compared just how soggy we were. Adrians sandwich bags over his feet performed far better than my wetsuit like booties. The rain had eased and the mood was good. Being outdoors, whatever the weather, chatting away and riding with each other along these roads and paths, lifted the spirits.

We set off on the longest leg to our lunch stop at Manly Mere which was 37 miles away. Turning inland we went into the welsh countryside and faced a long steady climb. Peaking at 270m at the top of Halkyn Mountain we strung out as we all dug in and ground out the climb, pedal by pedal at our own pace. Some beautiful countryside revealed itself as the rain eased and we could dry out as we descended.

On one stretch the descents were treacherous with mud, gravel, water filled potholes and blind corners. It’s amazing no one came off at this point but this was the worst in the whole ride and thankfully everyone had the caution and skill to navigate it. There were still a couple of low speed falls from what I heard, sore knees and bums the result.

2 main groups were forming with around 10 riders in each. We stopped at one point on a hill and tried to look on the WhatsApp tracker to see where there others were but soon realised it was a waste of time. Phil O and Dan M were showing as miles way when they were stood right next to me. Bloody technology!

Descending again and coming into a more urban surrounding, we came into Shotton and crossed over the River Dee into England. We rode over 6 miles of lovely flat cycle paths that took us north of chester right into the cheshire country side.

Feeling the miles now, we cracked on to get to Manly mere. 2 years ago this stop was perfectly distanced but now the 1st group arrived a bit past 1pm and the 2nd group around 30 minutes after that. It’s fair to say that many at this point were struggling but got some great food and coffee (and even a beer!!) at the cafe there. The rain had stopped, hallelujah!! We sat outside eating our lunch, trying not to seize up. Debbie and Geri can laid out all our bags under the large pergola so we could get all our gear sorted for the final push. 105km down and 60 to go, the bulk of the ride and the hills had been conquered so anyone who had doubts, knew it would be easier from here on in.

After a short hill up to Frodsham we then went out onto the long and winding roads of the Cheshire plains. I got a puncture that allowed Nic and Dan to catch up and rejoin the group. We passed through the lovely Great Budworth and onto our normal cycle routes around cheshire. Every now and again we were kept on our toes with a close pass by some delightful person in a big SUV that only seem to drive around narrow cheshire lanes.

It always feels closer than you are when we start entering familiar towns, going through Knutsford, then wilmslow and the pace upped like excited puppies keen to get home. We stopped at the Davenport Arms inn Woodford to wait for the others. The pub appeared earlier than expected and I struggled to get off my bike, being locked in that position my legs, stiff and creaking, only just managed to get my leg over (a common middle aged complaint). We tottered into the pub, stiff and wooden, our cycling shoes almost slipping on the hard floor looking and feeling like another species.

We were on our second pint when the second group of 10 came. For the 16 year old Gabe, it was even more impressive given at his age I would have probably have thrown in the towel half way. We were 3 missing but they arrived around ten to 6 to loud cheers and a pint delivered into Adrians hand while he was still on the bike. Having no idea where they were or whether anything had happened, it was a big relief.

The poor guys had a few gulps of beer then we set off for Bramhall as a group as I’d said we would arrive by 6. 24 riders all raising money for local schools, rode into Bramhall, some feeling a tad wobbly, all feeling pretty good. We’re not endurance athletes and many of us aren’t even super keen cyclists but every single rider who signed up and started the ride, finished it.

So when we turned the corner onto seal road, and saw friends and family waving and cheering, I felt a massive amount of pride for what we’d achieved. It wasn’t a great ride because the weather was perfect, everything went smoothly and we all hit personal bests. It was a great ride because despite the rain, despite the mud, the flat tyres, the falls, trench foot and aching burning muscles, every rider dug in and helped each other get to the finish line.

We raised over £3500 for Bramhall high and £1200 for Pownall green which in itself is great for the schools. Perhaps longer lasting though is that we know each other a little bit better, are engaged with BHS and Pownall a little bit more, and know that if we set a target, and keep going, even when it looks miserable, we can come out on top. Well done guys and gals and a massive thank you to everyone who donated.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Nick and Debbie Batchelor for supplying the support Van and refusing to take any diesel money for the journey. (See their business northwesttowbars.co.uk). Thanks also to Debbie and Geri for taking the day out to track and follow us with all the gear.

Thanks to Rachel for organising the welcome party and bar, Adam Pavitt for the the promotion of the event and signage. Simon Stonehouse and Paul Wraith for getting on board early and organising the non uniform day that raised around £750.

Mums, Dads and teachers from Bramhall High will attempt to ride 105 Miles (169km) fromConwy to Bramhall to raise money for projects benefiting the students (See map below). The route travels through some of the UK's best countryside and starts with over 20 miles of stunning coastal paths.

It's fair to say we're not elite athletes so this is going to be a serious challenge. It's not a race though, the main aim is for all riders to arrive back in Bramhall safe and sound, while at the same time raising as much money for the school as possible.

With this in mind, please give generously for the projects outlined to benefit the kids by donating below.