Road to nowhere

The title refers to a little bike ride we've just completed. 21 riders and 1 support most of whom are novices at the C2C. Some of us have been training others not so much. Despite organising the event I found myself alone on the sea front at Whitehaven, somebody said go and I didn't hear and wasn't ready.

Day 1 weather fine suntan lotion required and a decent pace as I started to catch up with first the stragglers then the middle group. Didn't have the energy to catch the leaders.

Day 2 was a day of climbs but not many miles. It was most notable for the drinking and frivolicking that went on that evening. and included 3 of the party getting to bed at 4 in the morning (although 1 never made it to his bed) and a commando raid by the bash street kids. The younger members of the party were all in the same hovel sorry bunkhouse.

Day 3 we crossed the highest point and then into Northumberland and County Durham. At Rookhope we went up and over the top of the moors. The climb was a sod but the ride across the top was fantastic and reminded me of being a kid and disappearing off on a bike ride with my mates, the muddier the route the better. Then down from Consett and off to Sunderland for the finish.

Everyone who started completed. Everyone had a good laff, made new friends and can be proud of what they have done currently there is £2000 on just giving approx £8500 on forms and matching and if we add the money already raised the events have cobbled together an not to be sniffed at £13,000.

For me I am exhausted, the events have left me drained physically from the ride but also mentally I've put a lot of work into this and I think it will be some time before I get involved (12 months c2c 2009) again,

I am sad that we have to do this kind of thing, that the Government don't pay for Macmillan and that a group of people whose only conection is a message board and in particular somebodys blogs have been galvinised into getting off their arses and doing something about it.

Proud of what both the group and myself have acheived.

One thing we have had is a little bit of luck, the weather for the football was superb, the book lauch followed a last gasp win and the weatyher and scenery this weekend have been fantastic. Or perhaps it wasn't luck and that we have had a Guardian Angel watching over us. Hazey if it is cheers I think now is the time to put that bit to bed. The legacy will be that these events will be easier to organise and other charities/participants will benefit.