Tour des Wheelwrights
Organised by The Wheelwrights CharityHes done it!! Graham Ellis cycled 555 miles from wheelwright to wheelwright across the UK in aid of Dogs for Good to train a puppy to support a wheelchair user.
Story
Day 12 update Friday 26th August:
IVE DONE IT !!!! 555miles .Thank you all so much for your kindness and support during my charity bike trip Much appreciated Graham
Day 11 update Thursday 26th August
Almost there David and me before our ride down to Battle. An up and down but pleasant ride with a following wind before meeting the charming Wheelwright Richard Carey who bought us lunch after visiting his workshop. Richard made a very generous donation to the cause and presented me with a handmade oak tankard which I will treasure always!! Just the ride into Heathfield tomorrow with David and the FINISH which will be 555miles for dogs for good. All is good ! Graham
Day 10 update Wednesday 25th August
Hi All who thought Kent was flat? It is nt!! Cycled from Gravesend over the North Downs to (Master of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights) David and Mariannes lovely home near Ashford. I e now completed 515 miles with about another 45 to go ending up in Heathfield on Friday with David. Met with Edward Crouch and his team of working Wheelwrights a nd 2 Apprentices Debbie put on a lovely spread and the team made a very generous donation to the cause. Only two days to go!! Graham.
Day 9 update Tuesday 24th August
Hi All made it south of the River this evening to Gravesend. Not the most picturesque of routes especially towards the end but it started well with a visit to the Bike Shop for some running repairs which was directly opposite where I was staying in Colchester. Cycle King serviced my bike in Sawbridgeworth before I left for Warkworth which seems a long time ago. Travelling to Ashford tomorrow to meet with Wheelwright Edward Crouch. On the home stretch now 460 miles done!!
Day 8 update Monday 23rd August
Hi All met with Mike Steel and his family this morning at their farm in Saxmundham . It was a pleasure to meet them all and had a very interesting tour with Mike including some delicious carrot cake made by his wife Clare. Mikes father in law Gus a very experienced Wheelwright was also there to chat with. Made it to Colchester this evening and on to Gravesend south of the Thames tomorrow, I have started to feel the finishing line is approaching!! ALL IS GOOD! Graham
Day 7 update Sunday 22nd August:
Bit of a wet day today but made it safely to Saxmundham ready to meet Mike Steel first thing in the morning.360 miles done just starting to dream of the finish in Sussex on Friday!!ALL IS GOOD!! Graham
Day 6 update Saturday 21st August:
Hi All 56 miles done today with my best mate Bruce Gibson. Rode from Holbeach to Thetford. 307 miles done 200 ish to go. Off to Saxmundam tomorrow. Tired but happy!! ALL IS GOOD!! Graham
Day 5 update Friday 20th August:
Hi All. I met Peter Small early this morning - what a charming and talented man! Cycled across the Lincolnshire Wolds through the fens and on to Holbeach. Met some nice people en route who will be donating to the cause. Cycling with my lifelong friend Bruce Gibson tomorrow down to Thetford. I am half way 250 miles done. ALL IS GOOD! Graham
Day 4 update Thursday 19th August:
A bit of a hairy scary day today! Apparently the A15 from the Humber Bridge to Lincoln is the most dangerous road in England! I can confirm this is correct!! However arrived safely in Lincoln this evening off to see the Wheelwright Peter Small in the morning. ALL IS GOOD!
Day 3 update Wednesday 18th August:
Weather good, wind behind, fairly flat ALL IS GOOD! Thirsk to Market Weighton today via York. 150 miles down off to Lincoln tomorrow.
Day 2 update Tuesday 17th August:
Made it to Thirsk today, rough roads though!! Weather good another 56 miles knocked off. My rooms got a bath and Im going to lay in it for an hour!!! Fundraising is going well so thanks everyone for your support for Dogs for Good.
Having visited Peter Thompsons workshop and stable in Warkworth on 15th August, Graham completed 56 miles to Peterlee in the first leg of his journey with Chris and Ollie Ball in support.
Bit hilly at the end but all is good!
A thank you message from Graham:
I would like to take the opportunity of thanking all of my supporters for your kind and generous support.
You will be able to follow my progress via theWorshipful Company of Wheelwrights Facebook page or the News page on the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights Website where we will be providing updates on my current location as I cycle towards the South Coast.
Here are the links to follow his progress
More about the ride:
Graham is blazing a new trail for the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights by undertaking a challenge on two wheels between six magnificent working wheelwrights from Northumberland to Sussex.
The fundraising is in aid of Dogs for Good, with the target set to support training a puppy for a disabled user. Here you can see Scooby and Grace on video showing exactly why we want to train another BEST DOG FOREVER! There is more about assistance dogs on the Dogs for Good website here.https://www.dogsforgood.org/how-we-help/assistance-dog/
The Wheelwrights Charity have supported Dogs for Good in the past which led to a wonderful partnership between Lydia and Ziva.
The main charitable objectives of the Wheelwrights Charity are to support education and training in the craft of wheelwrights; mobility for disabled people, especially children and young people; access to sport, educational and recreational activities for disabled people, especially children, young people and disabled ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen; and City of London charities and causes including the Lord Mayors chosen charities each year. You can read more about the Wheelwrights Charity here https://wheelwrights.org/charity/ .
