Beginning Friday 22 June 2012, a brave team of bike riders embarked on a 150 mile journey from Grange-Over-Sands to Sands End. Amongst them were Philip Crossland, Clive Higgins and Liam Maude from PCTI Solutions.
Marie Curie was at the heart of the bike ride, with participants working towards raising £20,000; a sum which could pay for one Marie Curie nurse for one year. The Marie Curie charity provides care and support for terminally ill people and their families, in their own homes.
“I chose to participate in the iconic Marie Curie Coast to Coast 2012 bike challenge this year; originally I wished to participate in the event both for the challenge it provided and being able to help support a worthwhile charity. Whilst asking for donations from family members I found that a few of my relatives have needed the kind of support offered by Marie Curie. Upon finding out this information, I became more determined to complete this challenge.” Clive Higgins
The team faced a challenging on and off road route which spanned over 150 miles, completing 50 per day over a three day period. The challenge was described as ‘moderate to tough’ with a heavy schedule of training required.
Each of the PCTI team members chose to take part in the bike ride both for their own personal development as well as to raise money for Marie Curie.
“I heard about the Coast to Coast challenge last year and thought that whilst it represents a great personal challenge, you’d be hard pressed to find a more deserving cause.” Phillip Crossland
The team trained religiously for a number of months and enjoyed the challenge that the ride presented.
“I was looking for an event which would allow me to complete a personal challenge and do something worthwhile for charity. I think the Coast to Coast challenge matched both of these goals really well and I’m looking forward to hopefully raising a lot of money for charity and being able to look back in years to come and say I have ridden from one side of the country to the other.” Liam Maude
Friday morning saw their journey begin at Grange Over Sands, cycling across the Southern Lakeland towards the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales. They continued through Dentdale and down to Hawes where they stopped for the evening having completed their first fifty miles.
Day two of the bike ride took the riders out of Hawes, through Wensleydale, Askrigg and Middleham. 100 miles was completed as they stopped for the evening in Osmotherley.
Finally, day three saw the team travel across the North Yorkshire Moors, towards the coast and Sandsend. This day was heavily off road and posed a great challenge for the team, who cycled to one of England’s highest pubs, the Lion Inn on Blakely Rigg before they were able to enjoy a downhill cycle to Esk Valley towards Castleton, eventually ending their journey at Sandsend.
With donations still being made there is no doubt that the team will be able to reach their £20,000 target and make a real difference to someone’s life with the help of a Marie Curie nurse.