The route has been finalised for the charity bike ride.
The STRAVA link is below:
Dave Topping - Charity Bike Ride 14/05/22
The STRAVA link is below:
Dave Topping - Charity Bike Ride 14/05/22
| Press Release |
Hi All
Thanks for making time to help raise some money for St. Catherine's Hospice in Dave's memory. I'm sure he would think we're all bonkers cycling 90 miles up and over the Penines but, with the strength of the support we had as a family and those who attended the funeral it was obvious we had to do our bit. St. Catherine's were brilliant, not just looking after Dave in his last days but, their support for Cath and our family was tremendous and they deserve our efforts to ensure it can continue to support other families in their time of need.
I am so proud that you all wanted to get involved. There is 11 riders in total which are a mixture of Royal Artillery 'veterans' from far and wide (North Yorkshire, South Wales, Shrewsbury and Hertfordshire), serving and retired members of the Fire Service (two who are former RE and keep going on about lanyards) and two good friends who thought it was a good idea and volunteered (sober) to push me up the hills. We also have five lads who served with Dave (and me for a bit) in the Army who are offering morale support (beer afterwards) and as broom wagon sweeping up operatives. My wife Sharon and Jason Townsend's wife Donna are also driving up with us.
The bike ride will start from Mansfield Fire Station at 08:00 on Saturday the 14th of May.
Friday:
For those travelling the day before the ride and the ones from Notts, please can you get to Mansfield Fire Station for 18:00 on Friday. This is in order for us to formally meet each other and to have a briefing for the ride. I have arranged for us to have some food at the station which will be pasta philly meatballs (FOC).
Address for the station is NG19 6AB
There will be someone to let you in if you come to the front door which is on the left near the flag poles.
You can leave your bikes at the station overnight, they will be locked in the Station Manager’s office, so will be secure. Those stopping at my house on Friday, you can leave your cars in the car park on station which is also secure and I will get you to and from my house.
Saturday:
Please can you make sure you are at Mansfield Fire Station for 07:30am on Saturday morning at the latest. This will give us time for last minute briefings for the route and ensure we can get off for 8:00am as planned.
Route:
Leave Mansfield on the A617 to Junction 29 of the M1, then to Chesterfield on roads that run parallel with the A617 dual carriageway (Temple Normanton and Hasland).
Chesterfield to Baslow A619: A challenging hill out of Chesterfield (20 min to the Highwayman Hotel, where we can wait). Downhill to Baslow (there is a layby next to the Devonshire Arms in Baslow with toilets where we can wait).
Postcode DE45 1SR
Baslow to first official stop Yonderman Cafe A623. Another challenging hill about 15 min, stop here to have food and hot drinks. Hopefully support crew can put orders in.
Postcode: SK17 8RW
Follow the A623 from Yonderman Cafe to A6 at Chapel-en-le-Frith.
At Chapel we stay on the A6 mostly down hill to Hazel Grove and by pass Stockport.
From Stockport along the A5145 through Didsbury to Stretford. This is quite urban so might get split up due to traffic and lights, but follow sign to Stretford then A5181 to The Trafford Centre (Barton Dock Road) B5211.
Past the Trafford Centre (Barton Dock Road) and over the Manchester Ship Canal to Worsley on the B5211 (Bridgewater Hotel and George Dining Room) second official stop for food and drinks (approx 63 miles).Postcode: M28 2PD
From Worsley to Walkden (A575) then pick up the A6 which runs parallel with the M61 to Chorley Hospital then left onto Euxton Lane. Pick up A49 Wigan Road to Lydiate Lane, Stanfield Lane to the island where the WW1 monument is where we will stop for a photograph, St Catherine’s is 500m from the monument.
Postcode and address: St Catherine’s Hospice, Lostock Hall, Lostock Ln, Preston PR5 5XU
Steve Ward is coordinating the support crews ring him if any problems where he can arrange help:
This memorial is about 500m from the hospice and I think it would be fitting for us to cycle past it just before we finish.
Thanks for making time to help raise some money for St. Catherine's Hospice in Dave's memory. I'm sure he would think we're all bonkers cycling 90 miles up and over the Penines but, with the strength of the support we had as a family and those who attended the funeral it was obvious we had to do our bit. St. Catherine's were brilliant, not just looking after Dave in his last days but, their support for Cath and our family was tremendous and they deserve our efforts to ensure it can continue to support other families in their time of need.
I am so proud that you all wanted to get involved. There is 11 riders in total which are a mixture of Royal Artillery 'veterans' from far and wide (North Yorkshire, South Wales, Shrewsbury and Hertfordshire), serving and retired members of the Fire Service (two who are former RE and keep going on about lanyards) and two good friends who thought it was a good idea and volunteered (sober) to push me up the hills. We also have five lads who served with Dave (and me for a bit) in the Army who are offering morale support (beer afterwards) and as broom wagon sweeping up operatives. My wife Sharon and Jason Townsend's wife Donna are also driving up with us.
The bike ride will start from Mansfield Fire Station at 08:00 on Saturday the 14th of May.
Friday:
For those travelling the day before the ride and the ones from Notts, please can you get to Mansfield Fire Station for 18:00 on Friday. This is in order for us to formally meet each other and to have a briefing for the ride. I have arranged for us to have some food at the station which will be pasta philly meatballs (FOC).
Address for the station is NG19 6AB
There will be someone to let you in if you come to the front door which is on the left near the flag poles.
You can leave your bikes at the station overnight, they will be locked in the Station Manager’s office, so will be secure. Those stopping at my house on Friday, you can leave your cars in the car park on station which is also secure and I will get you to and from my house.
Saturday:
Please can you make sure you are at Mansfield Fire Station for 07:30am on Saturday morning at the latest. This will give us time for last minute briefings for the route and ensure we can get off for 8:00am as planned.
Route:
Leave Mansfield on the A617 to Junction 29 of the M1, then to Chesterfield on roads that run parallel with the A617 dual carriageway (Temple Normanton and Hasland).
Chesterfield to Baslow A619: A challenging hill out of Chesterfield (20 min to the Highwayman Hotel, where we can wait). Downhill to Baslow (there is a layby next to the Devonshire Arms in Baslow with toilets where we can wait).
Postcode DE45 1SR
Baslow to first official stop Yonderman Cafe A623. Another challenging hill about 15 min, stop here to have food and hot drinks. Hopefully support crew can put orders in.
Postcode: SK17 8RW
Follow the A623 from Yonderman Cafe to A6 at Chapel-en-le-Frith.
At Chapel we stay on the A6 mostly down hill to Hazel Grove and by pass Stockport.
From Stockport along the A5145 through Didsbury to Stretford. This is quite urban so might get split up due to traffic and lights, but follow sign to Stretford then A5181 to The Trafford Centre (Barton Dock Road) B5211.
Past the Trafford Centre (Barton Dock Road) and over the Manchester Ship Canal to Worsley on the B5211 (Bridgewater Hotel and George Dining Room) second official stop for food and drinks (approx 63 miles).Postcode: M28 2PD
From Worsley to Walkden (A575) then pick up the A6 which runs parallel with the M61 to Chorley Hospital then left onto Euxton Lane. Pick up A49 Wigan Road to Lydiate Lane, Stanfield Lane to the island where the WW1 monument is where we will stop for a photograph, St Catherine’s is 500m from the monument.
Postcode and address: St Catherine’s Hospice, Lostock Hall, Lostock Ln, Preston PR5 5XU
Steve Ward is coordinating the support crews ring him if any problems where he can arrange help:
This memorial is about 500m from the hospice and I think it would be fitting for us to cycle past it just before we finish.
Obviously we can stop for a rest whenever it suits, it is not a race!!
We will no doubt get split up on occasions due to traffic lights and consideration for other road users, and may have to break into smaller groups. Kiwi is going to give Steve (Titch) Ward a link so he can live track our positions and if needed locate us for any assistance we might need, or just to get us all in one place for a rest/eat.
We will be stopping for food/drinks at Yonderman Cafe (30 miles) and the Bridgewater Hotel or George Cafe next door (approx 63 miles). Hopefully we can put our orders in with the support team who will be monitoring our progress in real time.
When we get to St. Catherine's we will be welcomed by Cath, Dave's family and staff from the hospice. Cath and has made us some food we can eat when we finish at St. Catherine's on site (FOC).
The bikes are going to be stored overnight in an office at St. Catherine's or at the hotel in a locked room or if you prefer in your own room, then we have accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express - Preston South (B&B).
There is a bar with TV at the hotel if you want to watch the football or a pub nearby (Ye Olde Hob Inn below) for us to replenish our calorie deficiencies and fall asleep standing up.The FA Cup Final is on the same day, kick off time is 4:45pm. Hopefully we will be sat in the boozer by then. It is being broadcast on BBC and ITV.
Sunday:
The services of our wonderful support team will come into full swing on Sunday:
Steve Ward, Kev Denby and Mark Wilson will leave early with total 3 bikes, as Kev has to get back.
Andrew Samanjoul (Go-Ride Coach at British Cycling and former Gunner at RA) is driving up in his van and can take most of the bikes back plus 2 people.
Chris Shuter will be able to take 3 people back.
Roy Penhallurick (Penny) has kindly offered to take up to 3 people back.
Ron Dagnall will be able to take 3 people back
I am stopping in Preston until Monday and will bring my bike back.
Mick
Dave Topping Just Giving page click here
Google Maps link and address for Mansfield Fire Station.
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Mansfield Fire Station Rosemary Street Mansfield NG19 6AB |
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Full list of Cyclists
Alan Crowther
Jason Davis Jason Townsend Kev Denby Matt Kerrison Mark Palmer Mick Topping Mark Wilson Stuart Nurse |
Support Team and Groupies
Steve (Titch) Ward
Chris Shuter Roy (Penny) Penhallurick Andrew Samanjoul Ron Dagnall Sharon Topping Donna Townsend |
Google Maps link and address for the Holiday Inn Preston.
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Holiday Inn Express - Preston South Reedfield Pl, Walton Summit Rd, Walton Summit Centre, Preston PR5 8AA Tel: 01772 289700 |
