What an Achievement!

Some of you will already be aware that my husband, Alan and brother-in-law, Phil did a bike ride last weekend. This was no ordinary bike ride! They cycled on mountain bikes from Whitehaven, Cumbria on the west coast of England, to Roker Pier in Sunderland on the east coast of England! They began on Friday at 1pm and finished on Sunday at 5.45pm. The distance was a total of 142 miles and total cycle time was approx 17 hrs. The weather was against them all the way and on Sunday, which should have been a relatively easier ride, they were battling against the wind, rain, sleet and snow!! At one stage they were pedalling at 8mph - downhill!!!!


The reason they undertook this mammoth task was to prove to themselves they could do it and to raise some money for their chosen charities. Alan has been a diabetic since I met him in 1986 and a few years ago he attended a course run by the local hospital here in Nottingham. That course called the E.D.W.A.R.D Course (Education for Diabetes Without a Restrictive Diet and it completely changed Alan's outlook to managing his diabetes and his diet. Alan wanted to put something back so chose Dundee House at Nottingham City Hospital, the unit which runs the E.D.W.A.R.D course, as his charity to raise money for. My brother-in-law chose a charity that is close to everyone's heart MacMillan Cancer Support, but he chose it for a more personal reason. His cousin sadly died of cancer last year, he was 42! They are both overwhelmed and touched by the response they have had and are close to raising £2,000 between them. I for one am very proud of them both. Here's a few photo's of the two of them. By the way, a special big thank you must go to Mick, Phil's Dad, who provided much needed support and encouragement along the way and was the 'official' photographer!

The beginning in Whitehaven, by tradition the cyclists must start with their back wheel in the water of the Irish Sea!

Alan is on the left, Phil on the right.

This next picture was taken as they were leaving Cumbria and entering Northumberland.

This next picture is 'the end' of course they had to dip their front wheel into the North Sea - think they got their feet a bit wet, oh and Alan was on the phone to me when this pic was taken!

This last picture is the proof that they did it. Here they are pictured with the plaque at Roker Pier and their stamped certificate! Well Done, lads! Think Phil looks as if he can't quite believe it's all over - the look on Alan's face says it all.