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Ride for Precious Lives 2017
It all started in St. Austell on Thursday night. With only a few hours kip it was off to Little Harbour hospice to collect our bikes and be ready for the off. 108 cyclists were taking part, including two tandems.
It was 75 miles to Bideford. The weather was kind, the hills were not. With over 5000 feet of ascent, we finally made it to Bideford for a well-earned drink.
Next morning we left on mass from Bideford to Little Bridge House, where Children’s Hospice South West was founded. It was great to see 108 cyclists hold up the traffic for 8 miles. From there, we were on our way to Exmoor, climbing to 1,500 feet with stunning views.
Day 2 was different with longer climbs than day 1, but all there to test you. The organisers were quick to tell you the worst was over but neglected to tell you about that “little” 15% hill that would keep popping up. 70 miles later and we were in Taunton and preparing for day 3.
The forecast was for cooler weather over the 3 days, but it got hotter and hotter. We were feeling it our legs, even though we had 30 miles of the Somerset levels ahead of us before hitting Cheddar Gorge. I was kind enough to give Tim and Scott a 10 minute rest up Cheddar as I battled with a puncture half way up. After a lunch break, it was the last 20 miles back to the finish line, but one last hurdle to climb – Belmont Hill – only 5 miles from the finish.
205 miles later, and only 1 puncture, we made it over the finish line to be met by the cheering crowds.
It was a tough 3 days, but this is what the families are going through day to day, for weeks, months and years. The hospice offers much needed respite, much like the water and lunch stops for us weary cyclists. The challenges they face every day are the hills that we faced and the good times are the downhills we sped down with smiles on our faces, only to be faced by another challenge. Our challenge and pain will be short lived and will mostly be forgotten in a few days. For the families supported by CHSW, the challenges continue.
CHSW need nearly £10M a year to operate all 3 hospices, with very little coming from government. This event will have raised over £80,000 and I am pleased that we have managed to raise over £2,200 without the company contribution. Thank you to all that donated. Our Just Giving page is still open.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pbdesign-2017rideforpreciouslives
Mark, Tim and Scott