2020 – What a strange year!

Pandemics and lockdowns and furlough… Suddenly we all found ourselves with more time on our hands than we knew what to do with! During my time being furloughed, I decided that I needed some form of exercise. Well, I wasn’t going to take up running at my tender old age, so my quest was simple; find a bike that was a challenge in its self

Eventually, through some miracle, I found one and I managed to get out and about. There I was, racking up the miles, getting fitter and falling into a pattern of regular exercise when I saw an advertisement to raise funds for a cancer charity – a story many of us can relate to. So, I got cracking, found some sponsorships, and completed the challenge with over £700 to donate. A great success!

Not being one to sit back and stop there, I turned my thoughts to something more personal.

Back in 2014, my life changed in a split second. 9.40am on January 22^nd, 2014; the day my son Mike was taken from us off the coast of Cornwall. At 23 years old, Mike was a passionate fisherman, and that day he was out with his best mate looking for a fishing spot to settle down for the day. The last any of us heard from him, was his most recent Facebook status.

“Sex, drugs and rock and roll? Nah, fishing is the life for me!”

Then suddenly, a freak wave hit them both. His mate managed to hold on and call the emergency services, but Mike was swept out in seconds. The RNLI and air support were on the scene within 15 minutes. They never found him, and my life changed that day, forever.

But back to 2020; I had a lightbulb moment. It was also the year when Mike would have turned 30. He would have laughed at his dad on a bicycle, so I wanted to raise awareness again, and help the RNLI, but this time I wanted to make it a celebration, something to enjoy and bring people together in the spirit of Mike having fun which he did like a giggle at times.

My challenge is to ride from the Weston super Mare RNLI station to Padstow RNLI station, visiting every other station on the way to thank the crews for what they do. The challenge will involve riding 200 miles over tough terrain with a total elevation of 16,000ft which is not far off the height of EVEREST  and will take four days to complete. I have been asked why this route , beside the obvious, RNLI crews go out in all weather to perform their duties and face some very large waves in doing so , I am no sailor so the elevation of the hills will be our my waves that I have to overcome, with my crew supporting me to get over those waves.                                                                             IMPORTANT NOTE.  Saturday 26th June 2021  is now the confirmed  date    10am at Weston super Mare lifeboat station Knightstone will be our set of point. Please come and support us.

We are going all out to make the ride to make every success ,  we can now open this up for more people to join us on the sections below. If you are up for it just email me, will be good to see you, i will say hopefully COVID restrictions will be lifted 

The ride has been split into 4 Sections 

1. Weston super Mare to Minehead  26th June 2021, following  cycle route 33 then along A38 and onto A39 , with some 2100 ft of elevation, around  49miles ,  stopping overnight at Sparkhayes Campsite near Porlock  http://www.sparkhayes.co.uk/  .
2. Minehead to Ilfracombe , 27th June 2021, taking in the village of Porlock route will either be along the toll road or taking in Porlock Hill. his section will prove challenging. around 42 mile with an elevation gain of around 5000ft. This route will be taking in some of the most beautiful scenery in the Country , overnight stop TBC             https://porlockweir.co/scenic-toll-road/
3. Ilfracombe to Bude , 28th June 2021.This section will be the longest, 55  miles with elevation of around 3500ft over the distance, with some great downhill parts. could be a stop at Clovelly RNLI station if time allows. Overnight stay still TBC.
4. Bude  to Padstow,  29th June 2021The final Section after a long ride, with a call into Port Issac RNLI station, the plan is  to go via Wadebridge, depending on how we feel and weather , may take ferry at Rock also visiting Rock RNLI station, This section is about 33miles or 43 depending which way we go, with elevation around 2900ft  The elevation and mileage will increase over the whole journey  as we stop off at RNLI stations on route. Overnight stay TBC.

I am pleased to announce my crew that will be joining me on this challenge . Each have there own reason for supporting  it.                      

Matt Groves  - NHBC  Inspector and work associate, Matt is also a keen running and in training for Half and Full Marathons, one to watch on ride 😉

Liz Porter  - 1st Cousin, with Rich she has cycled quite a lot of European countries and the northern reaches of Scotland in all weathers 🚵‍♀️

Richard Goddard-Jones  Liz’s Partner and cycling enthusiast 🤪

Alan Jackson-  Shy retiring family member, a wealth of knowledge having been riding a bicycle for 60 years ! Since he was 5 and hasn’t stopped 👍

Alex Walker  - Chef and Step-son , Alex took up cycling just after me when he was on furlough.👨‍🍳

Already joining me on my ride, for the first section to Minehead from Edenstone Homes ( Who I work for as a Project Manager) are :-   Chris Edge ( Operations Director)                                                  Steve Barley ( Commercial Director )    Mike Huddlestone ( Build Director ).Who are representing the Edenstone Foundation who are providing cycling shirts,  who will be next to add there names to the list ? Don't be shy!

I am please Neil Griiffin of Griffin Cycles has provided services and advice griffincycles.nsomerset@gmail.com                                                 Bicycle Chain are kindly supporting us with parts for our ride 

 Confirmed date will now be Saturday 26th June  2021, Time 10.00am starting at the RNLI Station Weston super Mare     

If you would like to show your support by joining us on a section of the ride then please e-mail me at philipmfbindon@hotmail.co.uk to be part of our crew.

I would like to ask for a donation to join a section with a minimum £25 

Come and join us, and ‘Ride your Bike for Mike’