Grandfather gears up for The Stroke Association Annual Thames Bridges Bike Ride

May 15 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MOST people think of Land’s End to John O’Groats when charity bike rides spring to mind.

But grandad Bernard Garside decided to do something totally different – cycling across all 14 London bridges.

And it’s further than you think with the journey totting up 33 miles.

And it will also be busy – as he’ll be doing it with 2,400 others!

Bernard, 69, of Beaumont Park, will join his son 44-year-old, Andrew, to cycle across the capital’s historic bridges for The Stroke Association.

The grandfather-of-two said: “I saw The Stroke Association advertising this event and it seemed interesting and I thought – why not do it and help other people?

“I have friends and colleagues who have suffered from strokes – at least I’m healthy and very fortunate and can help them indirectly.”

Starting at City Hall by Tower Bridge on May 31, the Thames Bridges Bike Ride is 33 miles cycling through London and over 14 of the city’s bridges.

The group of cyclists will finish at Hurst Park near Hampton Court Palace.

Bernard and his wife, Joan, will be going down to London in their caravan and then heading off to Brittany after the race for a well-deserved holiday.

In preparation for the big challenge, Bernard, a former bus driver, has been training with The Cyclist Touring Club in a series of monthly bike rides across Kirklees.

He’s also a member of Total Fitness, and the gym has put together a personalised training regime especially catered for Bernard.