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Gareth Olley's 6 County Challenge

Motorolley's picture
on Wed, 10/05/2017 - 21:56

After a successful Lands End to John O'Groats ride in 2013, which was the reason I bought a bike, got into cycling and joined HMCC, the time has come for me to put myself through more pain in the name of charity!

I have come up with the idea of cycling to each of the 6 northwest police headquarters under the same name we used last time, Cops Cycle for Kids. However, instead of the Ronald McDonald House, all monies raised will be for the Alder Hey charity.

Another slight difference from last time is the make up of the team, in that there isn't one - it's just me! One cop through six counties, cycling 230 miles in 1 day!!

I'm planning on taking on this challenge on Tuesday 25th July 2017 and I would welcome any club members who wish to wave me through Ormskirk, (even hurling abuse at me will help!), or even ride with me for a section of the route. (I will be coming straight down the A59 from Preston through to Liverpool at around 11am.)

I am a little nervous about the distance as you might imagine, as the furthest I've ever ridden is around 150-160miles in one day. Add into the fact that an old injury, from when I was knocked off a motorbike, has been causing me real problems after only a few hours into my rides, and I am not underestimating how hard I'm going to find the latter part of the ride.

That said, if it was going to be easy I couldn't ask people to put their hands in their pockets to donate to the Alder Hey charity without feeling a little embarrassed! So, with that in mind, if you've got some spare change that you don't mind putting my way it would be greatly appreciated.

You can either go to my Just Giving page, Cops Cycle for Kids, or text CCFK79 followed by either £1, £5 or £10 to 70070.

If you want to ask me anything or arrange joining up with me then you can either email me at motorolley@gmail.com or grab me on a club run - I'm at the shop most Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings riding a red/grey Cervélo S3.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks in anticipation of any support you give me!

Gareth.

Motorolley's picture

Well, it's done! 231 miles in 13hrs 10mins (saddle time) giving an average speed of 17.5mph. I'd targeted a 17mph average just to keep my timings for the various reception parties I was meeting, so it was a relief to keep the speed right.

 

I just wanted to thank all the HMCC members for their support, not just by way of donations but the 2 members who rode with me on the day and the members I have ridden with during the last few months during my training. This ride wasn't just about Tuesday, it has been about getting prepared both physically & mentally leading up to the big day and all the Sunday club runs & chaineys have played a big part in that.

 

I know the club has had a number of charity challenges over the last couple of months, including an epic C2C2C & 2x Everesting challenges, all for very worthy causes, and so I'm not here to ask you to put your hands in your pockets again - if you have or if you do in the future then that to me is a bonus.

 

I have already smashed my original £1,000 target and I'm now close to reaching £2,000 for Alder Hey Children's Charity and for that I am extremely grateful. Some people may have looked at what I was doing and thought it's no different from what club members do week in, week out, but to me this was always about what I was doing it for.

 

Alder Hey holds a special place in my heart for a number of reasons; from the care and professionalism they have given to my own son, the life saving treatments they have given to children of some close friends, to the countless emergency ambulance escorts from all around the region I have done when I worked as a police motorcyclist. For all the heartbreaking and tragedy that goes through the doors, if my money goes some way to help even one child bounce back out the doors fit & healthy then all of this will have been worth it.

 

So, once again, thank you for your support and I'll see you back on my bike when I no longer have an arse like a baboon!

 

Gareth.

Gareth.

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