Coast to Coast cycling challenge in aid of Shine

Coast to Coast Challenge along the Trans Pennine Trail 2022.

Introduction 

I am a disabled cyclist, my background is ex forces I served in the royal engineers from 1975 - 1984 in GB and BAOR, I was medically discharged in 1984. I was a soldier, Diver, Driver and Colloquial German interpreter. Most of my service was in West Germany as it was then, a time of the Cold War. 

Achievements 

Cycling from John ‘O’ Groats to Dover in 1976 902 miles in 9 Days

Reaching my ambitions in life of becoming an underwater Diver.

Becoming qualified to speak German 

Becoming qualified as an HGV ll Driver

Serving my Country and proud to have done so. Since being discharged from the Royal Engineer’s I have become a wheelchair user, had heart attack, Stroke Pulmonary Embolism, Pleuritic Pneumonia which has left me with heart and Lung problems and have other health problems affecting my bladder and Pituitary gland, I will have to take daily medication and other resources to help me through each day, along with my trusty Freedom Ryder Hand Trike (FRH1) and the team.    

Explanation 

Why am I doing this Challenge with a team  of dedicated cyclists and a support driver, for people with Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and Anencephaly. In October 2021 Simon Woodward and myself cycled on my special hand trike and his Cycle 500 miles in 30 days which I achieved in 18 days and Simon did within a few week end rides as he works Mon to Fri, this was in aid of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and we raised £670, the reason we did this was a good friend (Ken Whittingham) who ran a charity for the deaf and hearing impaired in Walsall at Walsall Deaf Peoples Centre, passed away having contracted (MND) within 2 years from diagnosis. Unfortunately the centre could not survive and has since closed down. 

I also made a promise to my sister (Nita) who has been affected by Spina Bifida since birth she is now 64 and suffering untold pain and anguish. Therefore I have got a team of 4 cyclist and a support driver to cycle the Trans Pennine Trail in 5 days which I might add is the first time a person using a hand cycle has navigated this route. 

 

We are doing this challenge In aid of People who have Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and Anencephaly face a lifetime of health, mobility, social, and learning difficulties.

 

SHINE provides lifelong support, including advice, practical help, and the opportunity to be part of a lively national community for all those affected by these conditions.

 

We need your help by supporting us with a donation to our cycling party in making a difference? We are raising money by doing a cycling challenge in June 6th - 10th 2022 from Coast to Coast, across the Pennine Way, (Southport to Hornsea - 204 miles). We are a group of 5 people, 3 cyclists and a 2 support drivers. 

The Team

Our team comprises of 3 male and 2 female cyclists - Steve Price, (Walsall Bike Project Cyclist), Pen (Female Cyclist), Condessa Parke and Cllr Richard Worrall Walsall Council (Support Drivers) and myself Andrew Moult Retired (Disabled Cyclist).

We shall be doing this challenge over a 5 day period, stopping and resting at designated points along the route. June 6th to 10th 2022.

 

We shall also be asking passers-by, friends, colleagues and neighbours and others to sponsor our cause using official SHINE sponsor forms to help reach our goal, in aid of Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Anencephaly, Information, Networking, Equality - SHINE and every donation will help.

Sponsorship

We have approached Tesco, Morrisons, and The Pelsall Village Bakery to help us with meals, Russell Cycles who have kindly put a parts box for possible breakdowns to enable us to do repairs on the go. We ha a support vehicle throughout the challenge and once completed with transport us and the equipment and bikes from the destination point and then back home to Pelsall in Walsall.

 

As for breakdowns and repairs we do have a dedicated cycle shop Russell Cycles located on Stafford Street in Walsall West Midlands ‘Sue’ the proprietor is going to supply us with spares, such as tyres and tubes, cables and outer casing, brake blocks and pads, shifters and derailleurs and chains.

 

We all thank Tesco Walsall for their donation of £45 in Gift cards to aid us purchase sundries, and Morrisons Aldridge for allowing us to do a bucket collection on 23rd April and Pelsall Bakery for agreeing to make up meals for the journey up to the start point in Southport. We thank you all  for your generous contribution to this cause that means so much to our group, to be able to help people with these terrible and life long conditions.

 

For more information about Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Anencephaly, Information, Networking, Equality - Shine - Shine is committed to improving the lives of people with Disability’s Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and Anencephaly.

Itinerary 

We shall be staying and resting over night each day after reaching daily goals at B&B’s, Guest Houses and Hotels. From June 6th to 10th 2022.

The daily routine would look like this 

Transport Day, get transported up to Southport  on the West Coast, in the sponsored vehicle from Golds Vehicle Hire situated in Brownhills. Get our cycles ready for the Coast to Coast Challenge along the Trans Pennine Trail.  

Day 1 after breakfast, cycle from Southport to Stratford a total of 56 Miles, rest at pre selected sites and hostels, refresh ourselves with refreshments from our sponsors, 

Day 2 after having a hearty breakfast, cycle to the next destination from Stratford to Bentley/Doncaster a total of 57 Miles 

Day 3 after having a hearty breakfast, cycle to the next destination from Bentley/Doncaster to Elloughton/Brough a total of 54.5 Miles 

Day 4 after a hearty breakfast, cycle to the next destination from Elloughton/Brough to Hornsea a total of 47.5 Miles 

In total 216 miles approximately. 

Day 4get transported back to Walsall.