Well - we did it! We lost Ken Robinson to work commitments for Thursday and Friday but 5 of us (Tim Lockett, Nick Gains, Vince Banks, Michael Fort and Robert Fort) did the business. A motley bunch of mixed ability and with widely varied equipment, but we stuck together and stuck at it. A couple of bad moments with Tim's run of punctures, some heavy showers and some poor route planning on a scary dual cariageway round Peterborough, but the highs outweighed the lows. Prize for sheer determination goes to Vince on his buckled (truly!) wheel and wearing a pair of work boots, which must have weighed as much as Robert's bike.

 

Outstanding support from Alison (Penelope Pitstop) Fort and Peter (White van man) Hodge kept us cheerful and focused.

A good night in Wetherby on Friday - a few pints and a Wetherby Whale for supper after 115 long miles in the saddle. Then a terrific reception at the rugby club on Saturday after a couple of hours of Chris's hospitality in the Fountaine. The UWFRA support on Saturday from Howard Driver, Ken Ronbinson and Matt Richardson was a real lift and It was great to see Peter Procter in his 1951 jersey. And Wharfedale won!

When all is counted, we will have contributed more than £4,000 to UWFRA - a fantastic effort and our thanks to all sponsors. 

What was it? A 200 mile bike ride to raise money for Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (http://www.uwfra.org.uk/d6/), a fantastic organisation of volunteers who put their lives at risk in often inhospitable terrain and weather providing emergency search and rescue support for hikers and climbers of all abilities in our beautiful corner of England.

The Law of Unintended Consequences has hit UWFRA pretty hard with the announcement that the Olympic Torch relay will come to Skipton on Sunday 24 June, 2012, causing the cancellation of the Broughton Hall Game Fair which traditionally raises money for fell and cave rescue organisations. UWFRA will lose in the region of £10,000 in much needed funding, putting at risk their ability to save lives. We are proud to have made up 40% of that shortfall. Thank you again.