A group of friends, also known as Team Coastbusters, cycled all the way to Cornwall in aid of charity Mission EmployAble and the Chorleywood Cricket Club Pavilion Fund.
Tony Bendall, Adrian Horsburgh, Gary Waller, Robert Finney and Patrick Turnbull; five good friends, left misty Chorleywood on September 12 and managed to raise more than 7k for charity.
The routes were all masterminded by Robert Finney, including crossing the Salisbury Plains and watching out for the signs showing “tanks crossing”.
The team members talking about the first day said they had prepared for worse weather and luckily their wet weather gear stayed firmly in their panniers; they managed to cycle 137 km.
On day two Team Coastbusters cycled 122 km.
Tony Bendall said: “Priorities were a good breakfast, plenty of snacks and a smashing brunch. At the end of the day nothing short of a meat feast in the Harvester Taunton and a well-earned rest would do.”
On day three, they cycled 117 km, the team rode the Great Western Canal tow path and really enjoyed the amazing views.
The fourth and last day, 98 km, was going to be a tough day, they encountered some steep hills, but it was ‘a great relief’ to cross the Tamar river into Cornwall.
A beautiful descent towards Wadebridge and their first sight of the sea, aka Camel Estuary, “It’s just tradition to indulge in Rick Stein’s fish ’n’ chips and a celebratory Guinness by the harbour,” said Gary Waller, a seasoned Padstow visitor.
Adrian Horsburgh added: “The last day had a nasty twist with one or two of the hills getting into the 20 per cent plus incline which had us all gasping for the oxygen masks. However, a seemingly never-ending supply of banter and plenty of wine each evening ensured we got to the end, thankfully without serious mishap.”
Patrick Turnbull said: “I learnt a lot about team spirit covering more than 480 km in the end, we kept together as a group and made it, despite all being the wrong side of 50.”
Chair fundraising events for Mission EmployAble, Erica Bendall, mentioned: “We are immensely proud of them and what they have achieved for us all here at Mission EmployAble.”
Picture credit Team Coastbusters
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