Sidmouth councillors raise cash in cycle challenge
Olympian Daley Thompson meets Sidmouth councillors in Unite ByCycling challenge
SIDMOUTH councillors and district council officers, joined Sunday’s Unite ByCycling challenge at Sidmouth, and faced the prospect of riding up Peak Hill.
Mark Williams, chief executive at East Devon District Council, who rode the course with his son Jaimz said: “Peak Hill was an experience - I’ve never seen so many people walking up it at one time! The food & drink stops at Otterton and at Dart’s Farm were most welcome as was the support from members of the public who cheered us on!”
EDDC staff Andy Carmichael, Andrew Seddon, Louise Bennett, Chris Lane and EDDC old boy, Mike Baker, also completed the course.
Mark said the East Devon terrain was the most difficult of the course. All EDDC riders completed the ride within two-and-a-half hours; even Jaimz, who stopped to help another cyclist who had broken down with a puncture.
Having enjoyed it so much, there are plans afoot to do the ‘Pro Ride’ next year - 175km from Minehead to Teignmouth.
Councillor Chris Wale, who rode from Sidmouth with Councillors Stuart Hughes and Roger Giles, described the challenge as “fantastic”.
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He added: “The roar of the crowds meeting us at the finish, we met many along the route in total I believe there were 1800 cyclists, I would love to do more, you meet such great people, so friendly and such a well organised event with good pit stops to revive you.
“Both Stuart, Roger and I enjoyed the whole experience as well as raising money for such a worthy cause. We even met Daley Thompson and David James.”
Councillors Chris Gibbings and Graham Troman decided against competing because of adverse weather conditions, but have raised around �100 in sponsorship for the charity.
Daley Thompson made swift work of the challenge and said: “There was one hill in particular that caught out most of the cyclists. It was a pretty tough ride, but it was for a worthwhile cause.*Don’t forget to support the main Tour of Britain event that heads through Sidbury and Sidmouth next Tuesday from around 12.30pm. Check their website: http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk and http://www.tourride.co.uk/south-west.asp.
