Arthur's Big Bike Ride

The challenge was for Arthur to cycle around the periphery of Cumbria over

A two day period, that is 130 miles each day, totalling 260 miles. The purpose was to raise money for the 'Jigsaw appeal' (Children’s Hospice) with local sponsorship together with an amount of money donated from Rotary Club of Maryport.

His support team consisted of me and Stephanie following him round the route on motorcycle ala Tour D'France with his wife Janet and friends providing the overnight caravan stop in South Lakes.

Day 1. - He left his home address (Blitterlees, Silloth) at 7am on Sunday 25th June 2006 on a slightly damp morning but very windy. The route was via Abbey Town, Bowness on Solway, Carlisle, Brampton, and onto Castle Carrock for a late lunch at a local Hostelry. Suitably refuelled and it was on through the Eden valley via Appleby, Kirby Stephen, Sedburgh, Kirby Lonsdale and then the overnight stop at Crooklands, arriving at the caravan site at 8pm. A long day in the saddle with the constant battle against the wind.

After a good meal and red liquid refreshment - no not Ribena - he was back with the living!

Day 2. - Set off at about 7.30am on 26th June 2006. Slightly better day as there was not quite so much wind and it was a little brighter. The route took him through Milnthorpe, Grange, Cartmel, Greenodd, Penny Bridge, Broughton and into Millom for lunch. This stretch was probably the hardest. The hills were enormous and never-ending and obviously slowed him down a lot. Nevertheless he persevered and focused on the task. After lunch it was marginally flatter through Bootle and around Eskmeals. By now time/daylight was not on our side and he had yet to climb the mountain up and over Muncaster. This he did and continued into Whitehaven where he was forced to stop.

Day 3. - 27th June 2006. Arthur took the bike back to Whitehaven and completed the final leg to Silloth which took 3 hours.

The above is a brief synopsis of the event. It was very hard work for him, but

he did complete the route and hats off to him.

Jerry Peacock