Brereton Wheelers CC

News added 28/06/2010

Brereton Wheelers are just two weeks away from their biggest challenge of the year. On Saturday July 10th club members will re-create one of the club’s legendary training rides from the 1960’s but this time in aid of charity.

The 150 miles epic ride is scheduled to take approximately twelve hours but hidden below the surface of the headline distance is the route. Participants will make an early start and set off from Rugeley to Stone before heading off to Leek and the associated hills. From there Macclesfield will be the next target where the real climbing will begin with the eight miles long Cat and Fiddle.

A brief respite will take riders down hill and into the historical town of Buxton where the road to Glossop will be picked up.

The ride will evoke memories of halcyon days of cycling along quiet roads and many miles, with inspiration for the ride coming from club Vice-President Taff Yardley who, encouraged by the club’s now President, Reg Mobberley, undertook the original fierce training exercise.

Ten members have so far subscribed to attempt the full distance with others opting to join the jaunt at strategic points along the way. Purely by co-incidence the day will be shared with this year’s Tour de France taking in its first full day in the mountains.

Presenting many logistical challenges, attention will be paid to communication systems, sustenance, mechanical support and appropriate clothing for all the eventualities of a British summer, with experience a telling ingredient.

By the time riders turn to head for home they will have exceeded the distance of many a recent club run but will still face several major geographical obstacles on the way. The vicious Snake Pass through the heart of the Peak District will make every demand on already tired legs but will also offer comfort at its peak as there will be little left to rival it on the rest of the homeward trek.

The picturesque scenery of Bakewell and then Matlock should provide sufficient distraction
to relax aching muscles before riders haul themselves from Cromford over the Via Gellia. Though not steep the climb seems to drag on for an eternity, and will probably take on a different complexion altogether after an already 120 hard miles.

The final piece of the jigsaw will be completed over roads often haunted by Brereton club runs. The rolling terrain from Ashbourne to home, passing through Uttoxeter, will seem mild compared to what has gone before but this is where the riders with many miles of training stashed away in their legs will come into their own and support those whose legs are feeling the deep bite of fatigue.

The day will add another page to the club’s history book that will sit comfortably alongside the stories from the original expeditions and the club’s last charity ride, the 2001 End to End.

Benefitting from this year’s efforts will be local hospice Katherine House and Sport Relief.