Posted: 28th August 2019 | Back to news feed
A team of 9 enthusiastic JFC Employees, Customers and Local farmers set sail with County Galway in their sights on Wednesday 14th August. Greeted by 5 more cyclists in Ireland on Thursday 15th they hit the road at Clifden to take in the stunning scenery of the West coast of Ireland, which had a total elevation of 3,440ft.
Day 2 was quick on the heels and they had a ferry deadline to meet! There was no rest for the wicked with little downhill opportunity meaning little rest and recovery time for the legs. With two Irish riders waving them off at the port 12 cyclists boarded in pursuit of Wales. “We were given a great send off on the Atlantic coast by very supportive local folk and that spirit was always with us on the Trip” remarked Neil Mainwaring, of Hardwick Hall, Oswestry.
With feet touching the ground in Wales at midnight and heads hitting the pillows shortly after they were soon back up and ready for the final day setting off at 8am. The sun made a very welcome appearance along with two new fresh legged cyclists joining the journey. This leg of the journey included one of the UK’s toughest climbs the Llanberis pass.
Photo: Summit of Llanberis Sue Taylor, Justin Rees and Steph Pierre
“Once you’ve started there is no going back, it never relents with the sharpest bit being at the end, ramping up to 12% gradient, the best bit was as soon as we reached the top we jumped off and cheered the next team member up, our team spirit was sky high! It was so inspiring, riding together for 8 hours a day, looking out for each other, lots of laughter on the way, we have all made lifetime friendships, we’ve finished feeling like a family”, commented Sue Taylor National Sales Manager.
Once the boarder from Wales to England was crossed there was a welcome party of friends, family, colleagues and representations from the charities waving and cheering them over the finish line!
With donations still coming in we have nearly hit £5,000 between the Riding for Disabled (RDA) and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) the team are over joyed, so much so that the dates have been firmly set for 2020 as the 13th, 14th and 15th August.
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