FUN IN THE SUN FOR 20th BIKE RIDE

- Fri 22nd Jul 2005

Well, that was quite a ride! Very hot, as it was at home, but I feel that everyone enjoyed the ride and had lots of fun, compensating for any aches and pains, not to mention bike problems! It was certainly one of the most sociable rides, maybe due to Jenny Phelps's 'Baton Game', which obliged people to get to know other riders, although the batons didn't get all that far! The Gala Dinner on the last night in Le Havre was a great evening, even if a little delayed, as usual! The Crooners band was great and how did the Can Can girls manage an encore? Especially as Meryl Browne had cycled almost 1,000 miles up from Monte Carlo and Sally Griffiths had managed over 500 miles, with a broken collar bone! The spirit of the Ride was magnificent and if the feedback already received is anything to go by, it was - dare I say it? - the best ever! All participants deserve to feel very good about themselves! Now to collect all the sponsorship pledges.

FUNDRAISING
The other good news is that sponsorship pledges already total more than £84,000, leading us to believe that we shall achieve a new record, surpassing the £72,000 raised in 2004. This will be added to the £655,000 already raised over the years of the Ride and so we are now over €1,000,000. At the time of writing the 70,000 Mile Appeal, running alongside on Hayling, has also raised over £25,000 for the purchase of essential equipment for the Health Centre. Our riders continue to amaze us with their phenomenal fundraising, this year Phoenix-based Kate Hopeman appearing to have scooped the award, as she has already got over $12,700 in for the American Cancer Society. Barrie Dawson has once again raised a huge amount for Head and Neck Cancer.

 THE DAYS OF THE RIDE     
100 riders set off from Portsmouth on Sunday morning, 10th July, for a daytime crossing to Cherbourg, once again mustering at the Ship & Castle in the Ferryport, in bright sunshine. The crossing was a good one and riders managed to control their intake of 'refreshments' more successfully than in previous years, allowing a visit to town in the evening for many. After an early start all riders embarked on their 100 miles to Caen, with lovely weather, as they made their way down Utah Beach. The new lunch stop after 60 miles was a great success, with riders mixing with the French lorry drivers and other customers at a routier, 'Aux Amis de la Route'. After a very good day's cycling, with an afternoon stop in Bayeux, all riders were in Caen by 8pm, allowing an opportunity to have dinner in one of the city's many restaurants.
The next morning was mercifully cooler, with even a light drizzle for a little while, making the morning hills easier, but it brightened up during the day, making the 'killer wall' towards the end of the  day that much more difficult. Our watering hole in Glisolles, a few miles from our destination in Evreux, was once again well attended and bathed in early evening sun and we were joined by the intrepid 12 riders who had cycled up from Monte Carlo, with plenty of tales to tell.
Next morning we were joined by 100 more cyclists, who had come overnight by coach and ferry from Portsmouth, via Le Havre, before we all rode together to Paris. We got off to a very good start this year, all on the road by about 11am, after unloading the 3-Dayers's bikes from the lorry, with the super stop for lunch, at the top of the last main hill before Paris, in the glider aerodrome restaurant. It was here that Steve Cook, Leigh Hunter and Paul Edwards caught us up, having cycled all the way from Le Havre - a 135-mile day!  This was probably the hottest day of the ride, with the temperature well into the 90's.
The start from Paris next morning, enlivened by the appearance of all the fancy dress costumes, was very efficient and we then had some pleasant cycling along the banks of the Seine, before leaving Paris behind us. The morning stop was as good as ever and the lunchstop at Notre Dame de l'Isle, after 50 miles, was once more a great success. We were once more really well looked after at Muids,  with tables and chairs set out under the trees, along with an outside bar and an accordionist, in the grounds of the church opposite the enterprising Madame Koleno's Bar de la Poste - well it was Bastille day! What followed was the celebrated 'gentle rise through the trees' hill, a few miles before the spectacular descent into Rouen on this 85-mile day.  
The last day was once again pretty hot and after the morning climbs we reached the excellent morning stop in Yvetot, followed by the very good lunchstop at Saint Sauveur, once more generous with the local cider! And then, mercifully, it was again sunny when we arrived at Les Trois Pics restaurant and bar, by the sea in Ste Adresse, just outside Le Havre. Finishing the ride in sunshine makes a huge difference to everyone's sense of completion. The Ride was presented with a new trophy by the restaurant, as well as with a generous donation cheque. Quite a few riders celebrated by having a dip in the sea, some not wearing a lot! In the evening, it was party time, with dinner all together at the Mercure, dancing afterwards to the excellent Crooners, brought over from local to Hayling Island. We also had Pete McQuade's new Ride song, but the highlight of the evening was the highly professional Can Can performed in authentic costumes by Meryl Browne, Jenny Phelps, Sally Griffiths, Hazel Barnes, Julie Norton and Teresa Finlay. They even did an encore, following which they were rewarded by welcome Champagne. Quite a few riders made it a special occasion, having arranged to bring evening dress with them. Next morning it was an early ferry back to Portsmouth.    

WELCOME BACK
We all cycled from Portsmouth, via Cosham and Farlington to the Island, over the bridge, spanning more than its length, all dressed in our new T-Shirts, then via Northney and West Lane, picking up the jazz lorry for a tour of the Island, before a welcome at the Hayling School, to meet those left behind, ensuring a happy return to the Island. We were graced with the presence of our MP, David Willetts, who made a speech of welcome and congratulations, having briefly joined us on his bike along the Seafront. Emma and Tom at the Hayling Billy had also been very helpful with the leaving arrangements and allowing cars to be left in the car park for the days of the ride.

BIKE RIDE AWARDS
We now present all the awards and trophies on the ferry, rather than at the Welcome Home get-together on the Island, since they only really mean a great deal to those on the ride itself. Once again it's important to point out that there are no prizes for fast cycling or coming in first, even though you wouldn't be able to tell by those who endeavour to arrive at their daily destination as early as possible, only to have to wait for their baggage, which is not promised to arrive before 5pm each day. In addition to the trophies, several 'minor' awards are presented on the ferry, including the 'Rear of the Year', judged by the male members of the committee, with suggestions welcome from other riders. This was deservedly won by Sharon Singer, with Jon Tawse doing the main scouting job. The 'CB award' for the male version, judged by the female members of the support crew, was presented to Islander Pete Collins ('Pecs'), who had done the ride up from Monte Carlo. The major awards were then presented, all decided by the committee during a meeting on the ferry, with the exception of Fred Dyer's 'Support Crew Personality of the Year' cut-glass trophy, in memory of his late wife, Judy, which was decided following consultation with riders. This was presented at the Welcome Home to the popular and hard-working Kevin Crocker (Crocks), who has now done 17 years on support. The 'Bavent Cup' team award went by unanimous approval to the Ditcham Park School Team, with much credit due to the young riders, but there were honourable mentions for Team Groovy, who were honoured elsewhere, for Team Grumpy (Bill Bailey and George Spratt), the Monte Carlo Saga Team and others. President Pete McQuade, founder of the event, performing his usual role as presenter of the awards, announced that the winner of the 'McQuade Cup for Most Impressive Newcomer', in honour of his late mother, was Kate Hopeman, who came all the way from Phoenix, Arizona, to join in. The 'Eberhardt Signs Most Improved Rider Award' deservedly went to Bernie Meager, but there were mentions for Mary Makin, Mick Stratton, Judith Strickland, Chris McQuade and Shona Hunter. The 'Oracle Proof That You Can' award was presented to veteran rider Fred Dyer, who cycled the 5 days, in spite of his hip problem, which is soon to be operated upon. Also mentioned were Bob Mogg, Gill Lee, Alf Hughes (with her basket), Clare Frost and Sally Griffiths. 69-year old Ron Spencer reluctantly accepted the 'New Montfort Veteran's Cup' once again, having determined that newcomer Jeff Jeffery is one month younger. The 'Reg Beacher Award' for special contribution was presented to The Clowns, with special mention for other fancy dress teams, including the French Tarts, the Bunny Girls, the Sussex Brewery, the Vicar, the tutu boys and the Superheroes. The 'Value Added Trophy' was presented to Jenny Phelps for her wholehearted contribution to making the ride so much fun. A new trophy, presented by Les Trois Pics in Ste Adresse, was awarded to 15-year old Katy Chapple, as 'Young Rider of the Year'.  The 'Top Fundraiser Scroll of Honour' will be presented with the new trophy at the charities evening in March, no doubt to Kate Hopeman, who has already raised $12,700. The 15 young riders, aged between 15 and 17, were all presented with keepsake shields. Mention was also made of dear departed Islander, Nigel Woolhouse, who died earlier this year, having already raised £855 for the Tsunami Appeal, in anticipation of his participation in the Ride. All awards will be re-presented at the Reunion in October. However, everyone deserves recognition for the work and effort put in to make this once again such a special year for the Bike Ride.

SUPPORT CREW    
Having said that everyone deserves recognition, special mention should definitely be made of the wonderful support crew, always there when you need them, providing water, energy supplement, bananas, sweets, Tessa's flapjacks, spares and careful attention when essential. They included, in no particular order: Dave Collins, Kev Crocker and Paul Daynes, Maryon McQuade and Gill Furlonger, team leader John Adcock (Captain Haddock), Carol Bailey, Mike Hankins and Catherine Fuller, Tessa and Colin Smith, Ben Adcock and Kerry Hart (smaller baggage van), Pete and Shirley Hart, Mark Cook and Mike Stevens, Paul Mumford and Guy Moss, Ian Pollicott and Roger Key and last, but certainly not least, James Perfett and David Hersee, with the big baggage van. 

SPONSORS
We also wish to thank our sponsors, in some cases whether they know it or not! The contribution of T-Shirt sponsors is also always vital: Major Sponsors were MatrixOne and Burras Ltd. Also sponsoring were: Barclays Bank, Bosham Industries, C.J. Driscoll Chartered Accountant, Gable Roofing, Hayling Hardware, Hayling Property Management, Hayling Window Centre, Kezzmas, Large and Gibson, Lawrence Clarke Ltd, Morris Crocker, Newtown House Hotel, P. M. Leisure Homes Ltd, R.J. Morris Jewellers. We also wish to thank Bishops, The Ship and Castle, The Hayling Billy, The Hayling School, Langstone Technology Park, Hayden's Garage, Hellyers Coaches, Kuehn & Nagel, P&O Ferries, Richard 'Great Radios' Mumford, Tesco Express, Vodafone, Scott Hodges and Emsworth and District Motor Services Ltd for their various contributions. Apologies if anyone feels that they have been left out!

NEXT YEAR
We are already planning next year's 21st ride, when we plan to visit Chichester's twin city of Chartres.

Phone enquiries to 023 9246 1412 or by post to Paris to Hayling, PO Box 30, Hayling Island, Hants, PO11 9UD. Mobile - 07770-888501.
Website - http://www.hayling-cycle-ride.org.uk
e-mail address - paul.fisher69@ntlworld.com

PAUL FISHER  20/07/2005

By forum user, PaulFisher