On ya bike – Quad only knows!!
On July 18th a team of riders will be pedalling a ‘quadricycle’ 56 miles all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Because of the restriction of the gears, this biking behemoth will mean 9 solid hours in the saddle!
The Great Weston Ride is a new biking event for the Southwest starting off in Bristol, continuing down through the Mendips and passing the rock of ages, the route finally finishes on the lawns in Weston super Mare. The Quad Squad organised by Emma Williams are hoping to raise over £3,000 for this very worthy cause.
Emma of Congresbury said this of her motivation:
“Members of the team have personal reasons for getting involved and It’s quite shocking and upsetting when I realised just how many people I knew had had some direct experience with Cancer. All those that spoke about their experiences wanted to get in the saddle and say thank you for the help and support they received from Macmillan during their difficult journey. It is really heart-warming to see friends and friends relatives step up to take part in this immense challenge enabling them to give something back to the charity that helped them and their families.”
The team intend to do the distance as a relay and not all at once. The Quadricycle provided by The Carriage Company on Weston seafront, is not geared and its 1st all the way. The latter part of the course is reasonably flat but the first 26 miles are demanding for someone on a normal bike, let alone a Quadricycle.
“I am both excited and apprehensive about the challenge. In theory 56 miles on a quadricycle sounds hard, in practice I think it’s going to be really, really tough. I have a strong and motivated team that are up for giving it everything they’ve got, and with the support and help from all our families and friends I genuinely believe we will enter Weston super Mare on the 18th of July, an exhausted but proud team of cyclists. Its going to be a huge physical challenge for all of us.”
Macmillan Cancer Support currently provides 98% of the nurses at the Weston General Hospital and fundraising manager for Weston super Mare, Ian Dore said:
”Make no bones about it, this is not a jog on a beach or a walk in the park type event. The Great Weston Ride, although fun is a tough one. To even contemplate doing it on something less than a fully geared bicycle is one thing, doing it on a Quadricycle ticks the insanity box! The Quad Squad deserve to reach and exceed their target not because just of the arduous task that awaits, but because it reflects their commitment in helping others, after Macmillan have helped them.”
You can show your support and help them achieve their goal by donating via this website http://www.justgiving.com/TheQuadSquad
On the 26th of June there is the opportunity to meet some of the team, make a donation and see the Quadricycle at the Weston super Mare Town Council Community Show
