| Tom Hackman Wine Merchant, Wine World of Cornwall. 52 years old |
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I've a vested interest in undertaking this ride for the Cornwall Leukaemia Trust. In 1998 I was diagnosed with a rare but fortunately treatable form of leukaemia. Without doubt, it was a shock to the system. Thoughts of impending death naturally entered my head but with time to reflect I had a choice, either mope and moan and make everyone's life a misery, or just to get on with life. I chose the latter. In 1999 I undertook a challenge to cycle from Canada to Mexico, along the Pacific coast, some 1825 miles. My efforts were sadly thwarted with only 100 miles to go, when I took a tumble and broke a collarbone. Nice try though !
I've known Bill, Brian & Chris for around ten years now and we've cycled many a mile, France, Bristol to Padstow and around Dublin, to name but a few. This ride however is different. It's been Bill's burning ambition to attempt a longer journey and rather than undertake the ubiquitous Lands End to John O'Groats or vice versa, I thought that the opportunity to cycle in a milder climate with the added bonus of glorious French and Spanish cuisine, a somewhat more appealing prospect.
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| Bill Scott Shipping Manager, Imerys. 45 years old |
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I have been cycling with Tom for about 10 years and we have previously cycled from Bristol to Padstow on the "Route 3". We also spent four days cycling around Brittany, sampling the wines and good sea food of the area.
I have always wanted to attempt a long cycle ride and I have driven down the west coast of France many times so I think I know what to expect. I'm looking forward to the flat region around La Rochelle and Bordeaux, a good training ground for the Pyrenees and Spain.
Tom has put a lot of effort into raising money for the Cornwall Leukaemia Trust and I hope to raise a little sponsorship whilst doing something I enjoy.
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| Hazel Bowden Biomedical Scientist. 27 years old |
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I am currently training to become a Biomedical Scientist in Haematology.
Monitoring patients with leukaemia, and other blood disorders is one aspect of my job.
I know from personal experience the effect the disease can have on people's lives. Throughout our life time we will probably come into contact with, or have known, someone who has had or died from leukaemia. It is especially tragic when it effects a young child.
Science is moving forward all the time, with research and development we are able to treat and cure this disease.
I wanted a challenge, to push myself physically, and to do something for the benefit of others, here I get the best of both. So help me to raise money for this very important cause and improve the quality of life for these patients.
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| Warren Searle Internet Software Developer, Precise Minds Ltd. 28 years old |
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Why am I taking part? Well, it's quite simple, to raise money for a good cause and because I've been promised it's down hill all the way!
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| Brian Bazeley Publican & husband of Christine. years old |
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I took up cycling after watching Bill and Tom come back to the pub after many Saturday afternoons going off around Cornwall. So I thought it would be a good idea to go out with them after one of my customers offered me a bike that he had won in a xmas raffle. I wanted Chris to come with me on this trip and thought that it would be good if we did it on a tandem. After being out bid on ebay for numerous bikes I eventualy went to the Bike Shed in Exeter and bought one. With two weeks to go before we set off we thought it would be good idea if we started training, so now most days you can see us racing around the St. Columb area. She hasn't quite got the hang of the gas cooker yet, but the inbuilt microwave is working a treat.
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| Christine Bazeley Publican & wife of Brian. years old |
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Well I think this is it one of the biggest challenges ever, the only thing is I am not S.A.S material & all the other guys on the trip are totally. I have had asthma since I was little so if I make this trip it would seem like a miracle to my family & me.
I do like being out there cycling, it gives you a very free & in control feeling, and with Bri in charge of the tandem & how fast we go & if we ever likely to stop, well there's a thing !! So if I can achieve this trip I will eat my shorts? At last, after a hectic summer in a hot kitchen. Bri has been training me on the local hills of St. Columb & it really does hurt, but our Trek Tandem is the BEST.
Tom has done a fantastic Job in organising this Trip/Adventure with so much enthusiasm that I'm going to get him a Dennis the Menace bell like Brians ahhh bless.
Like everyone on this cycle we hope to raise as much as we can for this charity. It's so important to help others, so here we "Ready, Pedal,Go !"
P.S. Sorry about my photo- I'm not really a serious drinker.. hic !. A new photo is on the way.
Thankyou!!
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| Paul Lewarne . Inside leg 31 - age 40 odd years old |
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Reasons for doing the ride...temporary madness coupled with a sense of adventure and love the challenge. Also want to support a worthy cause - not that I have raised any sponsorship yet, but there is always after the ride..Also love France and cycling thru it must be the best way to see and appreciate it. Also love cycling of course. Usually I ride a mountain bike and try to get off the roads as much as possible even if that just means riding on the pavement!
Most extreme cycling experiences prior to this ride have been racing and touring on real mountains on the west coast of Canada where I lived for four years.p.s. I did wear a helmet there!
Looking forward to meeting and riding with the rest of the group. Allonsez? need to practice my french aussi ?!
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| Gary Barnett Proprietor of Café Irie in Newquay - purveyor of underground coffee culture.. 38 years old |
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A keen cyclist, who used to race many moons ago. Now riding strictly for pleasure and can often been seem cruising around Cornwall both on or off road.
A friend of Tom's, (he's my wine supplier of course!), so I'm having an "end of season" cycling holiday whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause.
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| Mike Waddingham Engineer with Lux Traffic. 64 years old |
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Dob 05-09-40 in Birmingham. I joined the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm in 1960 and served for 32 years as a helicopter engineer. I served at Culdrose for many years and met and married my wife, a local Newquay girl in 1964. Since leaving the Navy I have worked for Lux Traffic, a company installing temporary lights and traffic management systems throughout the country. I have always had an active sporting life. From football through to athletics. I have represented Cornwall at cross country five times. When I read Tom's newspaper article the combination of travel and exercise is what appealed to me. I have not previously been a keen cyclist but I think I shall continue to ride after the trip. I wrote an account of the trip for my company magazine which was circulated to our customers countrywide.
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| Andy Dickens Building company owner. years old |
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Andy is a real Francophile, owning property there and he pays many a visit to remind himself of the wondrous French cuisine. Andy is a regular visitor to the "Ring 'O Bells, St Columb Major and heard from Brian about the cycle adventure but decided that cycling wasn't his game but was only too happy to act as "support driver". He also claims that he will attempt the odd day of cycling if one of us feels a little weary.
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