Brereton Wheelers CC

News added 12/07/2010

Evolving from a winter night’s talk by club vice-president Taff Yardley, Brereton Wheelers’ mammoth charity ride came into realisation on Saturday. Nicknamed the ‘Reg Ride’ in honour of club President Reg Mobberley who first devised the route to be followed in the 1960’s, the ride was to take some members higher and further on a bicycle than they’d ever been before.

Facing a long day in the saddle with 150 miles ahead of them a sixteen strong group moved off from Rugeley’s Market Street at 7:07am. It was a pleasantly warm start to the day and riders were soon into their stride picking up another participant at Great Haywood.

Arriving at Stone at 7:47am those opting for a shorter leg, including Richard Lewis, Mark Crompton, Nigel Capewell and Brian Hession, turned off leaving a 13 strong hardcore to complete the distance.

The 44.7 miles to the foot of the Cat and Fiddle climb at Macclesfield rolled by with limited stops, in under three hours. However, a minor drama had struck Neil Walker by way of a broken a rear wheel spoke. Undeterred he simply wrapped it around an intact spoke and carried on.

As anticipated the incessant climb took its toll on the riders while supporters took in the scenery, photographically recording the event for posterity. The scheduled stop at the pub from which the hill takes its name gave the party the opportunity to stock up with food and drink before regrouping for the descent into Buxton with a third of the distance under their belt.

The leg to Glossop actually looked the toughest of all and an unscheduled lay-by stop gave riders the opportunity to discuss the agonies of the last 20 miles. By now the temperature had dropped and clouds gathered but spirits were still high, it was 12:05pm and not quite halfway.

Busy with tourists and motorcyclists there was no room for the next scheduled hill top stop on Snake Pass, helpers stopping further down hoping that riders would realize. This they did and a hasty rescheduling took the group onto a road side café overlooking the picturesque Ladybower reservoir, the distance now up to 84.6 miles.

Getting caught up in the local carnival at Hathersage briefly separated the support vehicle from the on the road team but modern communications facilitated a lay-by meeting on the south side of Bakewell. A further spoke breakage for Walker was now giving cause for concern and a bike shop was sought for repairs. Matlock provided the answer and a speedy repair by Simon Harvey put the team back on the homeward bound road.

The last of the long climbs, the Via Gellia, leading out of Cromford, was scaled shortly after 4:30pm and the final scheduled break was taken. The mood was good the weather warmer and the last 34 miles were eagerly awaited. By 4:50pm everyone was back on the road heading towards Ashbourne and familiar territory.

Observing from strategic points the support crewe monitored progress, noting that the twelve hour target time was now comfortably within everyone’s grasp. Deep seated fatigue dictated the pace over the closing miles but this was fought off by thoughts of home. At 6:35pm, to a huge round of applause from the gathered reception committee, the first riders turned into Market Street and by 6:50pm the full 13 man squad was safely home after 150 simply gruelling miles.

The venture is estimated to have raised at least, but probably well over, £1500 for Katherine House and Sport Relief. It had been a truly memorable day with heroic efforts from everyone involved. The roll of honour comprised of Ian Beard, Steve Moss, Graham Birch, Matt Williams, Tony Crompton, Neil Walker, Dave Birch, Simon Harvey, Jason Hutchinson, Paul Rae, Angus Page, Andy Siers and Dave Stilman.

Key to the ride’s success was the support given by Waymax Vehicle Hire of the Towers Business Park and Peloton Cycles. Waymax very generously fuelled and donated the use of a people carrier for the whole event which was ideal for the task. Similarly Peloton Cycles supplied riders with all the nutritional food and drink they could consume and the appropriate bottles to match. This third party support was invaluable and provided the support crewe of Taff Yardley and Ian McGregor with the means to ensure that the ride went as smoothly and safely as possible.