On our bikes! Next stop Le Mans!
On our bikes! Next stop Le Mans!
Tuesday 12th June 2007

Le Mans week: On yer bike!

PHers take pedal power to Le Mans and aim to raise money for charity


Go for it lads!
Go for it lads!
What do you do when your Lotus Elise is sold and you’ve no powered wheels to take you to the world’s most famous motor race? Give up, tend to the garden, or send a few work emails to look keen?

Not if you’re PHer ‘Skoff’ (Greg) and his mate Luke. The pair plan to cycle the 400 mile round trip from their home in Ilminster, Somerset with trailers attached to their bikes containing all their kit. At least there’s more luggage space than the Elise quips Greg with a fine example of gallows humour.

In true Le Mans style, they completed a shakedown test last weekend – not at Paul Ricard of course, but by riding the sixty miles to Dorchester and back.

Leaning on the pit wall at Ricard, well, the banister at the bottom of his stairs actually, Greg commented: “For sure, I ‘ave a good feeling with da bike. This ees a three year program, so we’re not expecting to win this year. For me, a good points finish ees nize”.

No, in fact he didn’t spout the usual PR nonsense. What he really said, with a worrying lean towards the truth was: “I can honestly say that the reality of what we are doing has started to hit home… Yes, this is going to be a challenge of the highest order, and I don’t anticipate being able to sit down for a few days after the event!

Greg and Luke are undertaking their mission not just to satisfy their own Le Mans craving, but also to support two very worthwhile charities – ‘Save the Children’ and ‘The Somerset Neonatal Unit’, the intensive care unit for new-born babies at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton which is funded by donations alone. The pedaling pair have set up a page on a website where you can donate and get more info on their trip. Click on the link below to access it.

The PH team wishes you all the best chaps!

http://www.charitiestrust.org/members_data/event/lemansonbikes/index.html

Author
Discussion

skoff

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

263 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Hi All,

Well the Lotus has gone and I have realised that I now have no transport for my regular pilgrimage to the hallowed grounds of La Sarthe...

So, I don't know how, but I have managed to convince a colleague and friend to join me in an epic bicycle ride from my home in Ilminster, Somerset to Le Mans - and back again. We will be carrying our kit in trailers attached to our bikes and actually have more space for luggage than when I did it in the Lotus!!!

We did a test ride with full kit to Dorchester and back on Saturday. We covered just over 60 miles and I can honestly say that the reality of what we are doing has started to hit home… Yes, this is going to be a challenge of the highest order, and I don’t anticipate being able to sit down for a few days after the event!

Still, our enthusiasm is by no means dampened – even by the weather forecast for Thursday and Friday, which is erm, well – Damp!

Anyway if you feel like supporting our effort (we are taking the opportunity to raise a little money for charity in the process) then please visit our fundraising page:

http://www.charitiestrust.org/members_data/event/l...

Or, if finances don't allow any messages of encouragement would be gratefully accepted!

Thanks!

(Oh btw - sorry mods if this kind of post isn't allowed!!! )

Hoolio

1,184 posts

250 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Best of luck chaps! Will give you a wavey if I see you en-route.

skoff

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

263 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Cheers Hoolio!

Have a great Le Mans!!!

Fingers crossed for some good weather...

Greg

LeoZwalf

2,802 posts

259 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Bloody mad blokes!

Best of luck to you though lads thumbup
And watch out for the radar traps hehe

Edited by LeoZwalf on Tuesday 12th June 14:19

mrben

119 posts

243 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
beerThe best of luck to ya , hope you have a comfortable seat fitted ! will get ya beer if i see ya

mulletmark

1,181 posts

252 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Good luck guys!

Just remember, in Europe they drive on the other side of the road.

mk1fan

10,902 posts

254 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Good luck.

scissorhands83

4,129 posts

264 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
top blokes

matt

smele

1,284 posts

313 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
mulletmark said:
Good luck guys!

Just remember, in Europe they drive on the other side of the road.
I think you will find that it is the wrong side of the road.

chrisbr68

5,500 posts

277 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
138 or toll road?

If you bring some rope I'll tow you for a couple of miles, nobody will know wink

Well done boys, Ill bung a few quid in.

Cheers.

Ps, where are you staying?

WazzaL

960 posts

238 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Good luck.

Hope you 2 are not too saddle sore not to be able to enjoy the boozing.. Er, I mean racing.

Will keep a old one on just in case we see you

skoff

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

263 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Cheers for all the support guys!

We will wave as you fly by! If we can maintain enough velocity to trigger a speed trap I will happily pay the fine!

Thanks for the offer of a tow I must say it sounds attractive, I'd just be worried about letting go of the handle bars to signal to slow down...

As regards where we are staying - well so far we have an offer from the chaps a Runnymede who are fielding an Aston in the Legends race - somewhere secure to leave the bikes is a real relief...

thanks again for the support and especially for any donations!

Greg

Ballistic Banana

14,706 posts

296 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Good Luck, will look out for you although i think we will be there before you nuts

And donated too thumbup

BB

charlescrawley

968 posts

281 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Best of luck lads!

We won't see you en route, as we're leaving early Wednesday, but we'll be thinking of you!

skoff

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

263 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Cheers Guys! Very generous indeed!!!

TVRCC PR

127 posts

250 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Good luck but don't forget that you won't be the only charity cyclists. The TVR Car Club has a team of 6 cyclists this year led once again by Paul Shrimpton cycling from Poole to Le Mans raising money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. This will be the 12th year that the TVRCC have done this and we have raised enough money already to train 12 Hearing Dogs. Look them up on the Houx campsite - they'll be the ones surrounded by TVRs!

mark 7

56 posts

244 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Yep good luck lads,did the TVR Club ride 2 years ago about 300 miles i think.
Must have had a lasting impression as i'm going this year in the car!
Hope you've got good shorts and saddles!

Chhers Mark

jumplead

1,823 posts

241 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Best of luck guys, we'll give you a wave as we go by.

Jumplead & Graebob

flattotheboards

6,689 posts

235 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
best of luck, ive always thought about cycling down to le mans, hope you make it there and back without incident.

skoff

Original Poster:

1,387 posts

263 months

Wednesday 13th June 2007
quotequote all
Yeah good luck for the TVR club too! We will try to wander over to say hello (and pick up some tips about dealing with saddle-sore!)