Cycling Day 8 - Gateshead to Doncaster
A Beautiful Day in the North
A short hop to Newcastle station to pick up Chris who was returning for his third day in the support team and by the time we’d driven back to the hotel, Dan and Rob were ready for the off around 8.15am
Despite following me back north across the Tyne, the boys made good progress out onto the A19 and down the fast dual carriageway before coming off for a first break at Dalton Retail Centre. Although a fast road, the cyclists had gained the impression that the lorry drivers did not want them on their track and so we decided to re-route via scenic Easington and Hartlepool.
The second stop was due at Tesco Extra Stockton-on-Tees and after a detour around a new housing estate and golf club; we arrived around 11am – an hour behind schedule but 56 miles ‘in the bag’. The team at Stockton looked after us really well and Sandra and I collected donations whilst Rob and Dan rested and re-charged. From Stockton we travelled towards Yarm and then cut across country to the A167 towards Northallerton. Looking for the next stopping place, Sandra parked the motor home in a tiny lay-by to find that it included a statue and plaque commemorating the Battle of Standard which took place in the vicinity in 1335. The Scots army led by King David and his son Henry were defeated by the English force organised by the Archbishop of York.
History lesson completed, the guys played that joker again and with an appointment at Tesco Seacroft Extra due at 4pm, drove the next 16 miles to balance their longer ride earlier in the day. This left them with the ride from Dishforth through Wetherby and onto the Leeds Ring Road. It was a hot afternoon, great for sunbathing and OK for cycling (as long as plenty of sun tan lotion was applied) with only a light breeze. As the guys arrived at Tesco, John Bentley – a dual rugby international and Lions Test player – and 3 of the Leeds Carnegie team followed them in to offer their congratulations and support. The athletes retired to the General Manager’s Office where food and refreshments had been laid on and then it was photos for the press and a radio interview with BBC Leicester. Our thanks to both Tesco stores for their hospitality and support and especially to John Bentley and the Leeds players for taking time out to offer their support and show respect for what is already an amazing achievement.
They’d already covered 100 miles but more was scheduled and the team pressed on through Castleford and Pontefract to end the day at another Premier Travel Inn after 130 miles.
Tonight has been a family get-together with Sandra’s father and my brother and sister and families all joining us – it’s been lovely to see them all. Tomorrow is another big day, 105 miles to cover and a ride from Leicester to Northampton with Martin Johnson |
