News and Views from the world of Learning and Development

21/09/2006 - They did it! The big bike ride is over!

Apart from being slightly bent in the middle, walking like they've just got off a horse and groaning every time they approach a single set of stairs, they did it. Gill and Gary completed the Marie Curie Great 500, a 500km cycle-ride from Vilnius, Lithuania to Warsaw, Poland.

In total, they have so far raised over £7,500. When this was added to the whole groups total, Edwina Currie, the former government minister who cycled with them) said at the Saturday night celebration that "the grand total so far for Marie Curie Cancer Care was £1,024,000" - wow!

Weather was brilliant, blue skies, 25°C to 30°C and 20°C in the forests.

Below are just a few of the 827 photos Gary took as the groups 'unofficial' photographer.

Thank to everyone who has supported and donated.

Quite a tearful moment really!

This is the fantastic Eleanor who fell and broke her elbow on day 3, she stayed and supported us all to the end so she was given the honour, supported by Henk (left) and Gideon (right) who ran alongside her for the last 500metres, of leading us all across the finish line.

Gill (right) crossing the finish line.

Gill on day 2 - only 85 miles to go to get to bed!

Day 2, one of the many beautiful lakes and forest areas in this part of Poland - as you can see, not all the roads were perfect!

"er guys, should we have gone left or right here?"

Our group, all the cyclists on the Vilnius to Warsaw route. The other routes were from Berlin, Prague, Gdansk and Krakow.

Everyday started with the stretching and everyday more people had more bandages on more aching joints!

Ah, Edwina Currie (left), we all have to blame Edwina for this as it was basically her idea!

Just what you don't want - a broken chain.

Big Phil posing outside one of the many beautiful and simple gardens - note the tobacco drying on the far shed wall.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
(sssh, Day 3, 40 miles done 40 to go!)

Our mechanics were brilliant - got the knack of dealing with a puncture in a minute or two.

Just waiting before the finish line for Eleanor to take her place at the front. We were escorted in to Warsaw by the Police - it was brilliant everyone having to stop for us - some people were happy and waved, some weren't and some hadn't a clue what was going on - but the people of Poland are really fantastic - thank you Poland!