The North West's equivalent of the Tour de France was completed yesterday as the "clubtocounty" bike ride ended in Bolton. Tour Captain Chris Brownlow, Barbados Dad, and late entrant the Rev Neil Axon Smith* completed the round trip of approximately 36 miles in just over 3 hours. The route took Chris from his "home" Club of Horwich, to his County HQ at Old Trafford and back to his hometown of Bolton, where he has played District cricket from the age of 9, and finally past Bolton School, where he has captained his year group at cricket for the past 2 years.
Rev Neil passed some interesting churches on the way - but seemed strangely to be more attracted to the pubs and the smell from the various food outlets in Salford Quays!
Rev Neil passed some interesting churches on the way - but seemed strangely to be more attracted to the pubs and the smell from the various food outlets in Salford Quays!
The ride kicked off at 2pm with a throng of one (Stu Leigh, stalwart member of Horwich RMICC) wishing the riders good luck. The route from Horwich RMI Cricket Club to Old Trafford via the A6 and then back to Bolton up the A666 took the riders through some of the area's most scenic locations. The Alps on the Tour de France really can't compare with the grandeur of rainswept Little Hulton on an overcast Sunday afternoon. The cheery locals in Salford gave some encouraging waves, which appeared to indicate that it was only 2 miles to Old Trafford! The group was met at County HQ by assistant coach Shaun Anders and then turned around to pedal back to Bolton where they arrived just after 5 o'clock (yes, on the same day they set off!).
The ride raised £334 in sponsorship for the Tour Fund, which I understand now stands at around £12,500 and this is over and above the £28,000 we needed to raise for the flights and accommodation for the official Tour Party of 20. So thank you if you've bag packed, swam, run, cycled, flounced down a catwalk, held a make up party or whatever - it's been a blast and with only a week to go we can all sit back, sigh, feel proud and look forward to the last bit of this great adventure.
The ride raised £334 in sponsorship for the Tour Fund, which I understand now stands at around £12,500 and this is over and above the £28,000 we needed to raise for the flights and accommodation for the official Tour Party of 20. So thank you if you've bag packed, swam, run, cycled, flounced down a catwalk, held a make up party or whatever - it's been a blast and with only a week to go we can all sit back, sigh, feel proud and look forward to the last bit of this great adventure.
Club to County Bike Ride
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Commenting on the ride - after getting his breath back - Barbados Dad said "My fitness regime has been intense but having foregone alcohol, pizza, chips, chocolate and women of dubious character for several weeks whilst I have been in the saddle..........I'll be glad to get home! Now I'm off to find some Sudocrem or dubbin for my sore backside. I don't know about a new pair of "budgie smugglers" for Barbados, might have to super-size them and see if they've got any "turkey smugglers" until the swelling's gone down!"
Rev. Neil Axon Smith said "Zzzzzz....."
* P.S. - he's not really a Man of the Cloth!
Chris Brownlow's reflections on his cycling efforts will follow shortly along with some photos of the Bike Ride.
No mention of the poor Mother who was in the'back up vehicle' providing drinks and snacks at appropriate pit-stops .
ReplyDeleteIt was much appreciated but up to Chris to thank his Mum really!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, folks, we've spotted the spelling mistake on the Horwich RMICC Badge! Stu Leigh has been told! If you say CRCIKET quickly, you'll sound like that amiable Yorkshire chap, Geoffrey Boycott!