Saddle sore but five friends finish coast-to-coast cycle

A GROUP of Barnard Castle friends have cycled up almost £1,500 for a cancer charity at the expense of a few sore bottoms and aching knees.

The group, made up of Richard Kesterton, Matthew Smith, Darren Harrison, Ian Spence and Phil McGuire, took on a three day Coast-to-Coast Charity Cycle Challenge despite only one of them being a regular rider.
The gruelling 140-mile journey, which began on Friday, May 5, took its toll on the riders but they say they enjoyed it so much that they are already planning another ride next year.
Mr Harrison said: “We had three cracking days of bike riding, although day two was really hard. We also had two good nights out in Penrith and Stanhope.”
The group started off in high spirits at Whitehaven where they dipped their back tyres in the sea before heading off on the trip to Sunderland, where they dipped their front wheels into the sea to mark the end.
The cyclists admitted the second day proved the most difficult as they took on the steep climbs of Hartside Pass, Garrigill, Allenheads and Nenthead.
For the most part the trip was safe with only Mr Harrison suffering a minor crash.
He said: “I was waving at two ladies and not looking, and went into a gate.”
Further drama emerged on day three when Mr Smith soon became an expert at puncture repair. He said: “We had five punctures, four of them were mine.”
Cash raised by the group will be given to the Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK. Although the group are now planning a another challenge next year, they have decided they won’t be taking on the epic John o’ Groats to Lands End challenge, admitting their “bad knees and sore backsides” would not be able to handle it.
The cyclists extended their thanks to William Smith and TCR Hub for the use of their vehicles and for helping to transport their bikes and personal belongings to Whitehaven, Penrith, Stanhope and Sunderland. They also thanked John Pringle and Lee Wardle who gave up their own spare time to drive these vehicles.
Mr McGuire added: “Finally we would like thank everybody for their generosity in sponsoring us. We’ve exceeded our fundraising expectations and it looks like the total raised is going to be more like £1,500.”