Cycling Touring Club

Summer is the typical time for organising Charity events, and this year CTC members have been actively cycling and raising funds for their chosen charities. The annual 30 mile Hampshire Harbours Ride for the British Heart Foundation was held on 12th July. The ride was for all levels of cyclist from family groups with small children to regular club cyclists. The views from the top of Portsdown Hill were followed by a sweeping descent into Fareham, a ride along the seafronts to a ferry crossing at Gosport and the return along the Eastern Road to Langstone to complete the circuit.

Five members took part in the annual 380 mile Hayling Cycle Ride from Paris to Hayling - Wilf Forrow for Oxfam, Joy Forrow (Alzheimers), Marilyn Crocker and Pat Crowley (British Lung Foundation) and Andy Henderson (Cycle Hayling), The event started at Hayling, also on 12th July, with a three day ride to Versailles via Caen and Evreux. Before the start of the actual Paris to Hayling Cycle Ride on 15th July, the CTC riders were joined by Dee Williams who had made her own way to Versailles for the ride from Paris so that she could ride in the annual Hampshire Harbours Ride for the British Heart Foundation on 12 July with Mike Skiffins. The return route from Paris was via Rouen and Le Havre. Having crossed the channel from Le Havre to Portsmouth, the riders rode via the cycle paths to Hayling Island, riding in a group over the bridge for a reception at The Olive Leaf on the Hayling Island seafront.

cycling-club-haylingIn addition Sam Hurst, one of CTC’s newest members, completed the London to Paris bike ride from 22nd to 26th July. Sam told me “It took 4 long days which was hard work and a tough challenge, but I made it there! I was cycling to raise money for the charity Wings for Warriors which helps support the injured veterans. I managed to raise a massive £1890. Having not ridden a bike before recently joining the CTC I couldn't have done it without the support and encouragement you all gave me.”

The Prudential RideLondon event on 1st August also attracted several local riders including Pat Crowley - fully recovered from the Paris to Hayling Ride, whilst Andy Henderson helped as a volunteer with one of the CTC's Dr. Bike stands on the Saturday, and acted as Marshall for part of the route on the Sunday.

cycling-club-haylingSports editors footnote: The Paris – Hayling Island Cycle Ride was started 30 years ago by Peter McQuade, the current President of Hayling Cycle Ride. In 1986, Peter set off from Paris on a solo cycle ride to his home on Hayling Island to raise funds for a cot death charity. Peter had no cycling experience, no special clothing and a cycle not made for epic journeys. What he did have was a determination to do something special to support friends who had lost one of their twin baby daughters to the tragic syndrome. Since then some £1.5 M has been raised for many charities. Peter still cycles each year to help raise funds, buy no on the original bicycle!

Footnote: The Paris – Hayling Island Cycle Ride was started 30 years ago by Peter McQuade, the current President of Hayling Cycle Ride. In 1986, Peter set off from Paris on a solo cycle ride to his home on Hayling Island to raise funds for a cot death charity. Peter had no cycling experience, no special clothing and a cycle not made for epic journeys. What he did have was a determination to do something special to support friends who had lost one of their twin baby daughters to the tragic syndrome. Since then some £1.5 M has been raised for many charities. Peter still cycles each year to help raise funds, buy not on the original bicycle!

By
Mike Skiffins
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