Cork to Kerry

Welcome to Grandad's Bike Ride.com!

In September my son and I will be making a charity bike ride from Cork to Kerry.

This will be a joint charity event to raise money for Friends of Belchamp St. Paul’s School and East Anglia's Children’s Hospices. All donations will be shared equally between the two charities.

Although it says Cork to Kerry, this is something of a misnomer, as we’ll probably start our challenge from my sister’s house in Bath. Then it’ll be a dash down to Swansea (and ferry to Cork) using this neat little crossing that I found into Wales:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2008/04/17/places_severn_bridge_feature.shtml

The organised event is 213 miles (ours will be a bit longer as it starts and finishes in Bath).

Last year we went from London to Paris (for Helen and Douglas House Children’s Hospice). We managed to raise almost £800 - but, this year we aim to raise substantially more.

Last year I rode a folding bike, because it seemed silly enough to attract a sympathy vote. Here is how silly I looked:-

 
Yes, that's me in the background with the small wheels (trying to keep up with the big boys!).

So, this year I thought I'd try to be much more sensible and ride a lawn chair on wheels a.k.a. a recumbent :-

All those interested in coming along on this event will be very welcome (it's o.k you can ride a normal bike!).

Here's some of the scenery you'll be obliged to travel through though:-

Yes, it's tough I know, but you'll just have to put up with the view!

If you find it a bit tiring, you can do what my son did on the London to Paris:-

But you'll then have to catch up!

The Virgin Money Giving website is now set up. There'll be the most important button on this page - 'Donate'. The website is at http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/grandadsbikeride"

These charities are really good causes and I'd like to think that you'll dig deep to support them!

If you are interested in cycling on this event (or just want to enjoy a ride!), there is an opportunity to find out what it's like cycling in a group. On 16th July another charity bike rider is doing a little bit of training. He will be starting from Cambridge and riding to Ickworth House (Bury St. Edmunds). It's about 30 miles, not too hilly and you can bail out anywhere along the route. If you are feeling up for it, you can even go on the return trip back to Cambridge. I'll be heading back from Bury to Halstead if anyone's looking for an alternative route home.

It starts at Cambridge Railway station at 11:30. Steve Goldsmith is the rider. He has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and is very determined to ride from Land's End to John O'Groats. Brave guy and here is his website:-

http://www.5gonorth.co.uk/1/Welcome.html

This training ride will very definitely not be a race!! (Although if Steve sets off and leaves me trailing miles behind in his wake, I'll be suitably embarrassed!).

Last year I had a support team (my grandchildren). This year they're all bigger (and twice as mean) and they'll be after your donations!