Aberdovey Bike Ride

How did this develop to where we are today? I often ask myself and come to the conclusion that I have had limited control on the event's success! A lot of the event's success can be contributed to a number of unsung heroes, some of which have come and gone and then there’s a small nucleus who remain to help us year in year out. To all of those people, I am in their debt and hope they stay to help us longer.

In January 1991 I was promoted and transferred to my old Police Station, Birmingham Road, Wolverhampton. At the beginning of the following year I gave up my Motorcycle trials riding to start mountain biking and soon became hooked. I always had a passion for two wheels and cycling and soon forced my interests on a number of my shift there, in fact, quite a few others including Phil Thompson who bought an old MTB which I restored for him. Phil also became hooked at great expense to him!

In the summer of 1993 I organised the first ride to the coast, rounding up 30 officers and one support vehicle driven by Andy Barnsley. Andy carried the essential supplies, 96 cans of lager donated by Bank’s Brewery! We all made it to Barmouth and after suitable refreshment took a coach home. During the organisation I fell on the idea to raise money for charity. We chose Compton Hospice and they benefited that year to the tune of £3,000. I never forget that event as we lost a rider, Roger Bonus. We hadn’t realized until a few hours into our celebrations ,when a local Police Sgt and WPC arrived to give us the news. Nobody owned up to knowing Roger who was now at Newtown about 40 miles away until Steve Ayres said “ Oh yes, Roger! I asked him yesterday if he wanted to come for a bike ride!” Roger was riding a Raleigh activator, complete with anorak and woolly hat! He was collected by Andy in the car just in time to take the coach back!

The following year Bob Nickless became involved. Bob owns a sea front house at Aberdovey and suggested we divert there and take advantage of the Yacht club's facilities to change, eat and receive suitable refreshments. We never looked back. Not a lot has changed with the venue there. We still get Chilli and jacket potatoes when we arrive, although the chef has changed from 4 lovely ladies, who I always had to thank with a kiss and flowers, to Mark Hesbrook, a fantastic chef whom I’ve no desire to kiss and who doesn’t want flowers from us! Mark cooks the food and in return we donate money to his chosen charity.

The weather has always been a battle for the riders heading out to the West coast, usually the wind being the problem. We have experienced fabulous sunshine at 8 am starting out, only to be totally soaked through an hour or two later. In general the weather is usually good as we leave the event to June to increase the chances of better conditions.

The event is seen by some to be the highlight of their cycling year, it is for me and my close cycling friends. So much so, its akin to being down the pub on Boxing day with riders displaying their new cycle colours, purchased specially for the event. Comments like “ Do you think these lycra shorts make my bum look big?” can be heard amongst the jibes if you wear something outlandish. Some riders use the event to gauge their performance or beat personal records. For some just getting there is a feat in itself. The event attracts all levels of riders and abilities. Some make it on old MTB’s with knobbly tyres and some on £3,000+ racing bikes. It matters not as no one is ridiculed, in fact I am impressed with some who make it, who either cycle infrequently or who don’t possess that performance machine. This brings me onto to a group of ardent cyclists who choose to start a little earlier than the main bunch and take it easy, sometimes as long as 12 hours. But they are unfazed by whatever’s in their path. They’ve been seen in the Little Chef having an Olympic size breakfast or the Wynnstay Arms taking a little liquid refreshment to help them cover the last few miles. Most of all, this small group enjoy the day. Sadly one of this group passed away at the start of the year. He was Paul Hawkins and will be sorely missed. We may raise money this year (2005) for a charity nominated by his family, as a mark of respect.

Over the 11 years, the riders and supporters have managed to raise somewhere in the region of £100,000 to benefit local charities. It gives me great satisfaction, as I’m sure it has for all the riders who have taken part, to think that we are reasonably healthy and active and can help the less fortunate by doing something we enjoy.

Thanks must go to Paul Sheldon, our original IT man, who started the first website. This has been the first real approach we have made to selling our event. We usually attract riders through word of mouth and there is a large number of people who return every year, which must be testament in itself. It's quite funny as, over the years, I've had people approach me and ask me if I want to ride in this great ride to the Welsh coast, not knowing that I organise it! Its quite flattering as I feel I must be doing something right!

To cover just a small portion of the things that have occurred on the ride would take some time and would only be my view. I intend to have a page on the website where people can post messages or stories. There will also be a page for you to buy and sell bikes and accessories, etc. Further to this, the route will be made available to view and download, along with written directions.

There is one story which I will leave you on and that’s from the 2003 ride. Batman (Brian Hickman) and his friend Robin (apologies as his name escapes me) turned up on a second hand tandem, to complete the route. Riding a tandem this distance, with little experience on one, is a major feat in itself. Batman & Robin were having problems with the chain coming off frequently. It was one such time when the bike was in the hedgerow and Batman and Robin were seen standing in the roadside looking at the bike, legs apart, hands on hips, capes flowing in the wind! Our intrepid heroes made it to Aberdovey and decided to ride straight down the launching area into the sea to cool down! Seemed like a good idea at the time but the salty sea did nothing for mobile phones and digital cameras which were on their bike.

I would like to thank you in advance for supporting our ride and do hope you enjoy the day.

Gary Dorrington