The Duston Old Cranks Cycling Club are taking on Amsterdam, or as we like to call it CRANKSTERDAM 500. (Can you see what we did with the name?). 

The 500 comes from our Cyborg Leader Geoff (everyone needs a Geoff), celebrating his 50th birthday and someone said, "Why don't we cycle to Amsterdam for it".... great idea! Until the next person said "Why don't we make it 500 miles as it's your 50th?"... a lot of us now wish we'd said let's do 50!

This 'trip' (definitely not a holiday!) was originally planned for 2020 but was postponed twice due to COVID. The ride itself will start in Northampton, taking place across 5 days, making our way to Amsterdam and will end (hopefully) in Northampton. The longest ride of the trip will be around 125 miles and just so happens to be day 1!

The 'not a holiday' itinerary is as follows:

Day 1: Duston to Harwich (129 miles followed by overnight ferry)

Day 2:  Hook of Holland to Amsterdam (78 miles)

Day 3: Amsterdam to Arnhem (72 miles)

Day 4: Arnhem to Hook of Holland (96 miles)

Day 5: Harwich to Duston (127 miles)

During our time in Holland we plan to visit the Arnhem war graves, John Frost bridge and the bridge from "A bridge too far"

Training is well underway, some of the Cranks have completed their first 100 mile ride for the year some are very close and Mr Harley has spent hours on his Peloton foam rolling. 

If our bunch of like minded folk who happen to be half decent cyclists can raise money and 'do our bit' for this crisis then count us in!

We'll post updates as we progress through training and we thank you in advance for anything you can give to us.

Now for the more serious bit...

As you know, the humanitarian situation is increasingly dire and desperate. Millions of people have no safe place to call home. More than 2.5 million have already left Ukraine, while countless more are still trapped underground, taking cover from the shelling, and desperate for a safe escape. Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to get critical care to those who need it most, both in Ukraine and its bordering countries. But with recent freezing temperatures, and ongoing violence, an enormous number of people urgently need help right now.