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The 27th May 2008 will be a very long day for me.I shall be cycling from Dove Cottage in the Lake District to Dove House Hospice in Hull some 200+ miles.The route will pass through Ambleside,Windermere,Hawes,Grassington,Pateley Bridge,Rippon,Boroughbridge,Strensall,Thixendale,Huggate,Beverley and to the finish at Dove House Hospice in Hull.I`m hoping to do it within 24 hrs and stopping only for food and drinks. I have been a cyclist for many years now but this is the first time I have ever taken on anything this challenging.   

I have now completed the challenge but all did not go to plan. Leaving the b&b in Ambelside the first spots of rain started and it got heavier as the ride went on. I didn’t mind the rain as it was quite a warm day and there was no wind. I crossed under the M6 motorway and started the first real climbing of the ride and the more I climbed the stronger the head wind got. At the highest point the wind was so strong that I had to get off the bike and walk (even that proved difficult).As the route turned south and the wind eased and came across me and not full on we all thought things would get easier (not to be). The mist/hill fog decided to make an appearance and what an appearance it made, with visibility down to less then 10 feet the hard decision was made to abandon the ride at Grassing ton with 80 miles done (I was gutted and close to tears)All the hard work of my support team and their time all seemed wasted. And so with a heavy heart we made the very quiet and long drive back to Hull.

Two days later and it was all smiles again, the ride was back on. We drove back to grassing ton and with perfect weather conditions I once again set off for home. Making good time I was feeling good and the nearer we got to home my convoy of support vehicles was growing by the mile and my final run in must of looked very impressive with a convoy of yellow flashing lights and 4x4 vehicles. Thanks to all involved.

I would like to thank the people who have sponsored me so far and to give a special thank you to Humber-Yorks 4x4 Response for their support vehicle www.humber-yorks.4x4response.com  . The Promotion Company (Hull) Ltd www.thepromotioncompany.co.uk , The Wanslea Guesthouse Ambleside www.wansleaguesthouse.co.uk  

My reason for doing this is to raise as much money as I can for Dove House Hospice as a thank you for all the help and support they gave to us when my dad was  terminally ill. He first went as a day patient and looked forward to his visits and later became an in patient where it became apparent he would need specialist care 24/7 in a nursing home but he made it quite clear he had no intention of going into care and the only home he would go in was the one he shared with my Mam,So with Dove House`s help they set up a care package with 2 Marie Curie nurses and our family members we could care for him in his own home where he could see out his days where he wanted to be and we wanted him and boy was it worth it.

I`m sure there are many people who have had the support of this Hospice, and many more in the future will be comforted in the knowledge that their loved ones are so thoughtfully looked after by such dedicated staff.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Dove House Hospice will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!