On Sunday 25th March 2012, four MAMILs (that's Middle Aged Men in Lycra to you and me) cycled from Waverton to Marble Arch to raise money for Cancer Research -- a total of 185 miles -- in just under 18 hours.
Neil Cook (Owner of Home Instead Senior Care in Halton) and three friends Bill Tye (whose mad idea it was), Alistair Broom and Ian Maudsley did the easy cycling bit and Dave Bertenshaw drove the support car.
The group met at Eggbridge Lane car park in Waverton, Chester at 4.45am, which – thanks to a masterstroke by Bill, who'd chosen to do the ride the morning after the clocks went forward – was even earlier than 4.45am normally is.
After 20 minutes trying to fit six weeks' worth of food and drink into the support car, we were ready to set off. It was 3ºC and 5.07am. Having stopped every 20 miles and been waved on by Neil's Nephew and Niece (complete with homemade flags) at 120 miles, we finally made Marble Arch at 9.58pm.
Tired, elated and frankly amazed we had encountered glorious sunshine all day, we packed up our bikes, kit and selves into the support vehicle and drove back to Chester, arriving home at 3am.
Many thanks to Dave for driving and to everyone who sponsored us.
