08/08/08 - remember the date - a date to remember

 

 Stage I started with back wheels in the water at Whitehaven Harbour in front of a few welcome supporters who travelled across to wish the team well. The support bus travelled to our first meet up point at 9.5 miles into the ride where the lads stopped for a quick running repair on Ben’s brakes. The bus travelled behind for most of the way towards the Forest Visitors Centre at Winlatter Pass for lunch.

 With now more than 24 miles behind them, the team had managed to find their pace and had one of the days toughest climbs behind them. A fast down hill stretch followed through the wood into Keswick, where despite the repairs en route, it was clear that Ben's bike wasn’t coping with terrain. This was disappointing as it was only two weeks old! So the team set off with Ben on the spare bike and the bus headed off to Halfords in Penrith where they collected a replacement bike. The sight of the Bus in the market square was welcomed by the lads especially as it was parked near the chipshop!  
 53 miles down and after packing the bus we headed off to Kendal for an overnight stay courtesy of 1st Kendal Boys’ Brigade. The beds where a great sight – Stu was asleep well before anyone else tonight! After breakfast on the Saturday we travelled back to Penrith for the start of Stage II. Stu and Andrea missed the start as they were dealing with a 92 year old who had collapsed across the road but the lads headed off in the rain towards Langwathby. They knew that today was going to be tough but the route climbed steadily before climbing steeply towards the summit of Hartside at 1903 feet.
 A 4.5 mile slog into the clouds. Lunch at the top was well received as was the open fire in the Café. The rest of this stage involved lots of uphill climbs with the added advantage of the down hill sections! It was 9.45pm before the support vehicle met the lads to direct them to St Thomas’ Church Hall for the overnight stay. Andrea's Chicken Curry went down well tonight.  

 

 Everyone found it difficult to get up but eventually we were ready for the start of Stage III. The climb up to Waskerley Reservoir was expected to be tough this morning but the team did find it to be easier than thought and soon made good time meeting the bus after an hour and a half for lunch beside the A68. Once fed and watered they headed towards Lanchester and picked up a familiar route which they had used during a training ride to and from Broomley. Andrea, Natalie and Stu were very surprised to get a phone call to say the team was at the passport office in Durham City - 45 mins before the earliest E.T.A. What was a hard climb out of Durham on the practice rides felt like a small bump today and the team knew that the rest of the ride was mainly down hill.
 We agreed that the riders and the bus would meet up at the start of the Hart to Haswell at 4pm but again the phone call from the team at 3.15 meant the bus was now behind the lads so it headed straight for Hartlepool where they waited for the lads to complete the Hart to Haswell stretch at Hart Station. A quick change into their C2C T-shirts and then off on the final 20 minutes towards the Marina. The support they had at the Marina was great, banners, balloons, party poppers and champagne. The final total is still not known but their achievement on completing was made even more special as they have raised over £1500 for the Butterwick Childrens Hospice!  
  

 

 
Well done to everyone involved in the C2C - it will live long in '8th BB' memory! 
  

Open Night Launch 

  

Our Coast 2 Coast Challenge was officially launched on Friday 4th July during our Annual Open Night when Andrea introduced the team to the watching parents and explained the reasons behind our choice of chosen charity.

She told everyone that in its 125th year, The Boys’ Brigade nationally had chosen to support The National Association of Children’s Hospices. Our team decided to raise money for The Butterwick Hospice, given that it’s our local one and will visit after the ride itself.   

  

Further information will be released to parents on Friday 11th July and we’re now seeking sponsors for all seven of the team. Thanks are due to those who got us off to a good start with £350 being donated at the Open Night itself.   

   

If you can, please try to raise money at work as well as through friends or family as cycling across the country is a big effort and the cause is truly worthwhile. Thanks.          

     

  

Broomley Weekend Cycle   

    

Well done to Kev, Kipper, Andi, Nick, Ben, Adam and Matty for completing their marathon training ride last weekend in preparation for the C2C next month.    

   

Despite the pouring rain (with showery interludes) the team set off on Saturday morning from Seaton Carew and arrived at 5.25pm, 47 miles later at Broomley Grange to camp overnight before making the return journey home on Sunday.   

   

This was excellent preparation as it brought them together as a team and gave everyone the chance to experience the same distances they’ll have to complete on the C2C as well as iron out a few technical difficulties. Hopefully the weather will be better between Whitehaven and Hartlepool but you never know and the wet stuff also tested their mettle.   

       

Thanks to Kev who took the following photos:

  

            

08/08/08

That's the date our team of senior boys and 'fit' staff are looking forward to as they prepare to do the Coast 2 Coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to .... well Hartlepool. The actual route finishes in Sunderland but we're taking a detour on day three to finish in the altogether better surroundings of Hartlepool Marina!

  

More news of training and the itinery will be posted here very soon.