It was a cycle trip that took around 165 miles in two days from Highburton to Aberffraw in Angelsey.
But those riding it took on so much more than a journey of just pure miles due to the deeply poignant story that was the catalyst for it all.
It was a charity ride to both honour the life of 12-year-old Isaac Nash, who tragically died off the coast of the picturesque village last year and to raise important funds for the inspirational charity set up in his memory to create a lasting gift to young people in his village and the RNLI. It may have raised enough for the £100,000 skate and scooter park in Highburton which would be built in Isaac’s memory.
Further still, it was an undertaking which acted as testament to the strength of the communities who have pulled together to support his family in a time of great need.
It all began early on Friday morning at the Gregory Fields recreation ground, the place in which Isaac’s family and friends hope to build the park, when 65 riders, all wearing striking grey and pink jerseys, were cheered off by friends, family and villagers, with the support of Huddersfield’s Bike Shed shop, who had helped us prepare for the ride.
Among the riders were family friends, relatives, Isaac’s parents, Zoe and Adam Nash and has been organised by Will Basnett, who is engaged to Isaac’s aunt Samantha, the day seemed to spring up quickly – just like the sizeable hills we were to encounter along the route.
The first set were found just a few miles away from start, ending with the long uphill Greenfield Road to Saddleworth.
But by a stroke of luck bright skies and a lack of headwinds helped us conquer it with smiles on our faces – perhaps it was the thought of the bacon butties awaiting everyone on the other side that made it easier to bear.
After a welcome downhill through Greenfield and Mossley, Asda staff in Ashton Under Lyne helped with a mighty spread which acted as rocket fuel for the guys in my blue team who did not slow down again all day.
Great greenways found by Will helped us avoid a dance with cars in Manchester and soon we found ourselves in the leafy surroundings of Cheshire.
It was here where we found out what made the countryside so green and pleasant, when icy rain began to pour that was not to let up until after we had gone to bed that night.
But even though we were soon soaked through we didn’t let it dampen our spirits. After all, every good charity event should come with its challenges – it must surely have encouraged more donations to roll in.
The comedic highlight was when we turned up to what was meant to be our lunch stop at the Golden Lion in Ashton Hayes, only to find out that it had been closed for three months.
Soggy flapjacks it was then but our sorry sight attracted the first on the road donation to the cause from a lovely, passing local.
Most people reached Halkyn, North Wales around 5pm, over nine hours since we set off, with puddles in both shoes and supposedly waterproof gloves.
Some had even a longer day, thanks to the strain of the hills and dozens of punctures between them, but one which was not made to feel more arduous thanks to the great team support both from other riders and the kind support drivers who helped us along the way.
Stories from the first day were shared amongst the riders over large pots of curry that night before everyone collapsed into bed.
A lack of rain on Saturday had everyone raring to go once again and the teams sped off to the Welsh coast to catch some ‘refreshing’ chilly sea air.
That was aside from the few whose bikes encountered problems, such as one in our group whose chain broke before we’d even set off from the hotel.
A great lesson in emergency DIY repairs, it was the first charity challenge of day two, which was quickly replaced with the second, large headwinds for most of the day, that made trying to cycle the coastal path an interesting experience, but one that allowed us plenty of time to take in the magnificent views.
Eventually our crossing point to Anglesey came into view-the striking Menai Bridge where we regrouped with some of the other riders for the last and most touching 15 miles to Aberffraw.
It quickly became an unintended race to the end for some like Will, who was being waited on by BBC Wales and several other newspapers in the village centre.
I was not expecting to turn the corner into the main street after a long, rolling road to find such a large and cheering crowd there to meet every rider, including the hardy team who conquered the whole distance in just one day, among them many of Aberffraw’s kind-hearted villagers and its mayor, Jim Evans.
But it was the wave of emotion that came over everyone when Zoe and Adam Nash rolled into the centre that really intensified the meaning of the ride for everyone who was a part of it.
With donations for the ride still rolling in, it is hoped that thousands of pounds, enough to meet the target, will now have been raised to allow the Trust to enter the planning process, and enough extra to donate to the RNLI.
A tremendous show of solidarity and will to help the Nash family, the Trust and the crucial work of the RNLI. The ride proved the great possibilities of what can happen when people come together over one cause.
A special thanks to everyone who made the event possible and supported the riders’ efforts both on the event and through donating.
