Five members of the Lancashire Sport Partnership team raised over £500 for charity by cycling from Lancaster to York as part of the British Heart Foundation's 'Ride of the Roses'. The 100 mile bike ride took place on August 2nd and, after an early morning start at Lancaster University, all five of the team were in York by tea-time.
Jo Moss, Lorna Postlethwaite, George Cull, Mark Stephenson and James Ventham all took part in the gruelling ride that took in some challenging terrain across the Forest of Bowland. After 100miles of groans, sweat, tears (and energy drinks) 'Team Lancs Sport' did their organisation and County proud by completing the course in under seven hours and celebrated on a campsite in York. This was an impressive result especially after many of the team had only recently taken up cycling a few months before by purchasing bikes on the Cycle to Work Scheme.
Highlights of the ride for new cycling convert Mark Stephenson included the ascent of the 1300ft Greenhow Hill which although being tough was made easier by the support and the enthusiasm of his fellow colleagues.
“This challenge is only the first for Team Lancs Sport”, he proclaimed “2008 was our first venture into long distance endurance team sport and we're already planning for 2009. We are currently looking at a coast to coast route or even Land's End to John O'Groats. Bring it on”.
The team would like to thank all of our sponsors and the support vehicles that followed them during their challenge.