Wrapping up the ride - Thanks

Having rode  - according to Ricky's odometer - 427 miles and raised in excess of five and a half thousand  pounds (so far £5,726.17 including gift aid) a few thank yous are in order :-

Firstly to all those who have already sponsored us, a special BIG thank you.  For anyone still wishing to contribute you may still donate at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ChristopherParr_1

The guys who made a testing journey so much fun, in no particular order : Grant, Ricky, Rene, Tom, Graham, Andy R, Andrew W and Ken.  It was a real pleasure.

To Chris "Moz" who drove the van everyday, who made sure we had water and sweets to get by on, who took abuse from tired and saddle sore cyclists - I guess we can be called that now -who in general fussed over and looked out for us.

To Pete "Lefty" who joined us on the first day. It was a real shame you couldn't make the whole ride due to work commitments.  You proved so much fun, even when you went missing.  I hope you recovered well and got your burger. ( I'm really jealous about that cycling cap)

To CP's family, friends and the Leek Cricket Club who made us all so welcome.

To Mrs Wallace who made us feel so welcome and feed us so well at Carnostie, even when we were so late. To the remaining Wallaces who located and returned the errant Lefty.

To Tom's parents and family for the BBQ. Especially, Hugh and Carol for putting us all up and looking after us all so well.

To Roger and Pat of the  Lillian Cottage Guest House who looked after me and my kit prior to the ride.

To Rick Green Cycles for their patient advice and sales. to the various pervyors of Cycling services we encountered along the way: including bike shops in Galasheils; the Leslie Bike shop for urgent repairs and tyre supplies.  SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CYCLING SHOP !

We mustn't forget the Biker's Boutique who supplied a new "Nut" protector after the infamous "Moz, where's my helmet" incident; who decked out the Flying Duchman in Orange - I still say he should have also bought the matching orange helmet; who helped a rider locate the matching team colour to his bike - so, that he now has all the gear but no idea. 

To the GreenMan Guest house. Especially, those tasked with the clear up of the two rooms occupied by Pie and Tom.

Jonno and Dave.

To Paddy and the Chairman, Mike Rance, of Macclesfield Town FC for use of the facilities and photo on the pitch.

Oh and who ever it was who put in my mind that this was a good  idea, you were right!

Packing

There's a chance it may not all fit.

The serious bit

It's easy to get carried away with the fun bit of this journey. But at the end of the day we did it for a good cause and in the memory of Chris Parr.
As I've said before, I met Chris  only briefly and was touched by his vibrant personality.  My first impressions of him has been confirmed by his mates. Not only by the stories they've told of Chris, but you can tell a lot about some one by the friends they keep. I now hope to call some of those friends of Chris friends my self.
In memory of Chris the team has raised, so far, £5,406. This money goes to Cardiac Risk in the Young. If you don't know about CRY and the effects of SADS take a minute to read the website to see the important work we're raising the money for: http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/
Donations to our efforts can be made at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ChristopherParr_1
Thanks to those who've already supported us by donating and helped in other ways . Some have been exceptionally generous.

The morning after

We had a few drinks and, team tour fines and awards at the cricket club.

Many awards and fines where handed out including - the more mentionable ones -  best outfit of the week, d*ck of the week, and best crash of the week.

I hadn't mentioned the crashes in earlier blogs as I didn't want to jinx the trip or worry readers, but now we're all safe... The score for this was Grant 2 and Wallace 1.  I was nominated for the best crash award too but mine was more a stylish emergency dismount.While Wallace's effort in Dundee did have a large audience, Grant took the award for his splendid effort at the pedestrian crossing in the super market car park in Arbroath. His audiences' expression while using the crossing was probably what clinched the award.

Later we moved onto a few beers in pubs around Leek.

The night was quieter than expected - probably not a bad thing for some of us - as by the time a decision was made what to do every where was closing. Final drinks were in the Unicorn where an acoustic night was being held. There's some seriously good guitarists that perform there. Followed by a wander around Leek trying to find something to eat. Thanks to Johnno for the drinks.

A big thank you needs to go to the cricket club, Chris's parents and all those who turned up to greet us. The bbq really hit the spot.

More later.....

Arrived!!!

Arrived almost on time for once :20:00.

As a group we rolled into Leek Cricket Club.

Pleased and relieved that we'd all completed it, there was a twinge of sadness that it's  all over.  Champagne was opened though I'm not sure how much was actually drank.  This was followed by a team boat race, Scots v Non Scots.  The Scots soundly won - no surprise there - but I'm not sure all some of their beer was actually drank.  Still, no point in crying over spilt ale.

1 last stop over looking Rudyard

We'd decided to ride the last section and have a final gathering just outside Leek. We raced on from Macclesfield Town's ground to a stop over looking Rudyard sporting only the bottom half of our riding gear.  It was some what bracing.  I'd done this leg of the ride many a time while training for this ride.  It now felt much easier.

 

We gathered together at the stop to make the final ride in as one group.

 

Macc town

A quick break at Macclesfield Town FC where one of thier players, Richard Butcher, unexpectedly passed away from a heart condition.

Thanks to Paddy and to the Chairman, Mike Rance, for letting us stop and use the facilities at the club and for the photo on the pitch.