STOCKPORT COMMUNITY CYCLING CLUB

Home MANCHESTER - BLACKPOOL 2008

Some 17 members of the Club took part in the 2008 Manchester-Blackpool ride on July 13th, some entered as part of a Club entry and some who had entered independently.

All completed the ride of 62 miles, with Stuart H recording a very creditable time of 3 hrs 34 minutes. The majority finished between 5hours 30 minutes and 6 hours. The original plan to ride as a group soon went out of the window as the riders left Albert Square in groups of 200 for their journey through Leigh, Haigh Hall, Preston and Lytham. Andy F deserves credit for finishing after suffering with cramp for over 30 miles.

Some £1500 was raised in sponsorship on behalf of Christies.

Punctures are a fact of life but Andy P suffered a particularly awkward one 10 miles from the end as the valve refused to go through the rim hole.

Club members were asked for their comments and opinions:

"Awesome" - Stuart

"Being with all the mad people - a sense of togetherness" - Lesley

"Cyclists ruled the roads - although we didn't ride as a group we kept meeting up" - Joanne

"Crossing over the line - for 2 minutes I felt I was special" - Joanne

" Holding Ruth's hand over the finish line - with people cheering" - Steve

"Spectators clapping us all the way - especially over the finish line" - Gill

"Being part of the celebration of cycling - and riding faster than I expected" - Graham

"Lesley getting the teas and coffee in at the end" - Clare

"the sight of lots of strange bikes at the start - even if some probably didn't make it" - Clare

Fired with enthusiasm the group now intends to have a go at the Manchester 100 (kilometres or miles) in September

Here are a few photos - although it is difficult to sometimes spot our riders - thanks to Graham for the pics