Day 1 saw 27 novice cyclists, including James’ Dad, teachers and sub-contractors of Battle Abbey School, leaving a rainy Battle in East Sussex to cycle 42 miles on the first leg of their 149 mile journey to Lille in France.

The first day saw a grazed knee, a live broadcast with BBC Sussex Radio and a cyclist who went the wrong way, all in a brilliant time of 4.5 hours. Surely this was going to be easy!! How wrong can you be.

After camping overnight in Folkestone, then boarding the ferry to Calais on Day 2, a cycle ride of 37 miles to the campsite in St. Omer was going to be a walk in the park. What wasn’t accounted for was 28 degree heat, several punctures, a change of route that took in numerous hills and competitive riders who wanted to get there first. Eventually after a gruelling 8 hours in the saddle everyone made it to camp.

Nobody was looking forward to Day 3 but things always look better in the morning and the last leg was a whole lot better than the day before. After cycling the 37 miles from St. Omer to Lille they then had to cycle the 37 miles back to camp again for a night on the same campsite before heading home on the support vehicles. At last the 149 miles was complete.

The last night in France found some very relieved and sore novice cyclists thankful that they had achieved not only a personal goal but had raised funds for CRY in memory of James. All these cyclists had paid for their own expenses on the trip meaning that all monies raised would go towards this worthy cause. In fact on the last night in France, during a few drinks, the conversation turned to what to do next. Watch this space!!!

Jackie Haggerty

This event has so far raised £4856 and donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/jameshaggerty