The tale of two champions

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Events like these just don't happen, they need championing, and this event was championed by Mark Brocklehurst and myself, Brandon Pilling. How we ended up doing that is simple, dreamt up on a cycle ride to Abersoch and timed to fit neatly between my 25th wedding anniversary and Mark's 50th birthday. The last 24hrs have been significant........!

Mark's Tale: Having rode jubilantly in Carlisle last night, we found to our great surprise that the hotel had found bike storage - it was actually a locked alley way at the back of the hotel, so we were happy to see the bikes go there rather than the van. However, there was a room for the bikes down there and so this was used, though Vinnie pointed out that the door be left ajar as instructed by the hotel. "What the heck does Vinnie know" was the reply, and with a heave ho from Mark, the door was closed tight. What Vinnie did know however was that the only way into that space was vIa the elevator which was stuck on the 3rd floor and had been for days. Our bikes were now completely safe from every one except for a mad man with an axe!! Brock was gutted, but the team rallied round, and quickly Ste P had convinced the repair man to come at the crack of Dawn to open the doors.......something about kids charity and few violin strings. Morning came, the repair man came, our bikes were free! Scores on the doors - embarrassment 10; sleepless night 10; relief 10+ Brandon's Tale: Having rode jubilantly into Carlisle last night, I woke to a "tweaky" right achilles. What in needed was a sunny day, no windy and a flat road to ease it in, but what we had was rain, a 20 mile hard wind and Shap ahead of us and pretty soon the niggel escalated. It was somewhere near Shap summit that the first really painful hit came, but in the subsequent ride down and through Kendle the jolts happened more often. The highlight of the day was to be lunch at my "in laws" house in Bolton Le Sands with a gazebo on the lawn, hot food, meeting Jason Queally (and riding with him) - the picture shows the team on that front lawn with The support crew Mick and Uncle Jim too. You will spot the lack of a gazebo - the 20 mile winds were not just exclusive to Shap! Family and friends were all made welcome and a proper party was enjoyed by all (thanks Brenda, Jim, Elizabeth, April and Amber), all that was except me as my tweaky ankle had become much more tweaky. We pushed off (late as usual) for a rendezvous at Bolton Lads and Girls club but co,ing out of Lancaster I knew things were going wrong, and 10mins later my ride was over - I could withstand weather, and relentless riding and being 49yrs old; I could not withstand a broken down achilles and had to stop.

Some would say I was a little disappointed, but Jogle8 has to continue and so I will complete the challenge from inside the support crew bus. The physio told me I got off soon enough, so no tear, and as a result may be back in the challenge in 48hrs and Uncle Jim has offered to re-crew if I want to complete the bits I missed. We all knew there could be one challenge injury - sadly it was me. Scores on the doors - frustration 10, sadness 10, desire to try again 0- However, this event was never about 7 guys in Lycra trying to do something unbelievable to feather their own nest, but a chance to highlight the plight of the kids on the streets and the need to get BLGC a new AstroTurf pitch to get the kids to the club and get them pointing int the right direction. And that thought helps me suppress my feelings of disappointment and "keeps things real". The achilles will heal, the disappointment will fade, Bolton Lads & Girls club will remain strong.

Unfortunately I can't tell you the tale of the tape tonight but believe we rode 110 mile and made it to Bolton. James (K) became the next faller, whilst punctures belonged to Mark B and guest rider Chris. We are all safe in our own beds - tomorrow the challenge resumes.

Brandon