Day 12 of the Transcontinental race finds Craig heading to Greece, he has made excellent progress, cycling 2900km and climbing the equivalent of 13 Everests!
The adventure has taken Craig from Belgium to France, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia. Montenegro, and Kosovo. True grit and determination have kept him pedalling up and down mountains, through spectacular scenery,and visiting countries most people would only dream of visiting. To date Craig's efforts have raised over one thousand pounds for the PASIC charity, which helped his cousin's daughter when she was ill with Lymphoma. There are 637km to the finish in Cannakkale in Turkey, where his family will be waiting with a few beers to celebrate this marvellous achievement.
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Last Wednesday evening saw Craig take the Hull Zeebrugge ferry to make his way to the start of the 2016 Trans continental race, one of the toughest cycle rides in the world!
349 cyclists started at 10pm from Geraardsbergen in Belgium, the aim is to ride 2,000 miles unsupported to Canakkale in Turkey. No support of any kind is allowed, its down to each rider to plan his/her route and carry what they need for this mammoth trip. Craig is hoping to raise funds for a small charity Pasic, which has given practical support and help to his cousin's daughter, Jessica aged 7, who has been diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma. Jessica has made good progress, and hopefully has two more chemo treatments , and will finish her treatment in September. At the time of writing, Craig has reached the second checkpoint in Switzerland, after a gruelling day climbing in the mountains yesterday. He is hoping to cover 200 miles a day , depending on the conditions. To follow Craig online, there are several sites, worth a look. just giving.com/craig boddice frrt.org rider number 173 trackleaders.com The Elite cycle race takes place in Beverley next Friday evening, the 8th July, first race starting at 18.10.
It's fast and furious as teams compete round a circuit including the famous cobble street. The Jaden Press womens race and Keith Jordan memorial race both take place before the Elite event. Following on is the Big G, Grimpeurs des Wolds on Saturday 9th July. There are four paint marked routes, 150km, 100km, 60 km, and for the third time a 30km for newcomers to the sport. Cost is a very reasonable £25.00 and the event kicks off at Bishop Burton College, York road, Bishop Burton. So, plenty of local action, followed up by the main event the wonderful Tour de France which starts on the 2nd of July and finishes on the 24th July. We wish the eight british riders taking part all the very best, Chris Froome will be defending his title against the likes of Alberto Contador, and Nairo Quintana. So good luck to Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Adam Yates, Steve Cummings, Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe, and up and coming sprinter Daniel McLay. Tour de France.2016. With the weather finally improving I have been enjoying some superb rides along the country lanes and byways of East Yorkshire. We are very lucky to have the choice of quiet roads, and a variety of flat and gentle climbs.
If you have only just reached into the back of your shed and found a dusty bike which needs a service before you take to the road then give me a call and I can come out to you and service your bike. This takes the hassle out of either riding your bike into town to a bike shop, or figuring out how to fit it in the car to get to a bike shop for repairs. Finally a mention to Pedalmoor take a look at the website, they organise short weekends away cycling in the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors, I was with them a fortnight a go, and enjoyed some superb rides around Rosedale area. Book this date in your diary, 10th-12th June. This is a new tour organised by Simple cycle tours and it certainly looks like a very attractive weekend away cycling in the wonderful Peak district.
John Wilson who organises the weekend, has chosen Castleton as the base for a cheap weekend away cycling in fabulous scenery. The weekend kicks off on the Friday in Castleton,dropping off your bags, then a forty mile ride, followed up by a barbeque in the evening, getting to know the rest of the group. Saturday is an all day ride, through Bakewell, and ending up at Hartington ,shorter options are available. Time for a pub meal and plenty of chat with fellow cyclists. Sunday morning, the riders take a westerly route back to Castleton. The routes are fully supported, I will be there to help out with anything mechanical. So, what are you waiting for, get booked in now! PS. Yorkshire 199 tour will be taking place 2nd-4th September, check it out. simplecycletours.co.uk Well what a fantastic weekend of cycle racing, makes me proud to be a Yorkshire lad.
Day one saw the crowds gather, despite the cold and wet weather, to watch the riders depart from Beverley on what was to prove a very tough day in the saddle to Settle. Day two, I got up super early to cycle over to watch the ladies race, and cheer on Lizzie Armistead and her fellow cyclists. Thankfully the weather was a lot better for everyone. Well done to the winner Kirsten Wild and runner up Lucy Garner. It was such a shame that a fault with the TV coverage denied people at home the chance to see most of that days racing. Day three I watched the race from a very cold and windy Blakey Ridge, the riders looked like they weren't particularly enjoying that days riding. One rider was seen getting a very sticky bottle, eg hanging onto the team car whilst pretending to take a bottle from them. Watching them later on TV climb the Cote de Grosmont I was super impressed as I know how tough that climb is. Congratulations therefore must go to stage 3 and overall winner Thomas Voeckler who just beat Team Sky's Nicholas Roche and Orica Green Edges Adam Yates on the seafront at Scarborough. Thanks to all the organiser and volunteers who make this event happen every year, can't wait for next year. Counting down the days now to the Tour de Yorkshire, setting off on Friday from the sunny town of Beverley before it wends its way through Market Weighton, Bubwith , Tadcaster, Knaresborough and finishing in the delighful market town of Settle.There will be plenty of photo opportunities in Beverley as the riders do a lap around the town centre before setting off across the Westwood.
We are so lucky to be able to see this fantastic cycling experience, I shall be out on my bike watching and cheering all the teams, and enjoying the unique carnival atmosphere, so please join me in making this great event a success by giving it your full support. Sunday is yet another chance to catch the race as it winds its way from Middlesborough to Scarborough,plenty of great ascents to sit and watch as the professional cyclists make light work of these steep inclines. Welcome back to Wiggo, and his team. A cold morning saw 700 brave cyclists make their way from Driffield showground out onto their chosen route across the beautiful and challenging Wolds. There was a good mix of ages, and a fair proportion of women riders, along with our youngest rider Thomas Denton, aged just 7 years, from Scarborough, who completed the Langtoft loop ride with dad James. Well done to Thomas. Joe Burns aged 13 years from York also completed the ride, his 3rd sportive along with his dad. It's great to see young cyclists gaining experience alongside their parents. Representing one of the women cyclists was Katie Drewery, taking part in her first Sportive, prior to doing the coast to coast in August. Another local rider from Driffield was Symone, taking part in the classic ride of 100km. Charlotte Somerville supported by Mark Ford were one of the first couples back from the Langdale loop, Charlotte is visually impaired, but that did not stop her from making a jolly good time. Adam and Phil were ably supported by a great back up team, including Dominic Bent and Niall McGlone from Cliff Pratt Cycles, who were on hand to check over cycles. Repair2ride followed the cyclists and helped out those who needed assistance on the ride. Becca Haskins aged just 10 years old, enjoyed selling raffle tickets and drawing the raffle. East Coast Cycles did a stirling job serving up hot and cold refreshments and Margaret Buckton and team provided tasty hot pies and peas, very welcome on such a cold day. Torq fitness were on hand to provide energy drinks to cyclists. At the end of the ride each cyclist was presented with a bottle of Maillot Jaune from Great Newsome brewery, very welcome. Finally a mention for Mike Smith who set the cyclists off with a smile and wave, and saw all cyclists return triumph from their own personal challenges, to feel justly proud of their very special day out in the Heart of the Wolds. Well done to everyone who took part, and enjoy next week as a spectator to the Tour de Yorkshire. Put the date in your diaries, 24th April is the fourth edition of the Heart of the Wolds Cycle Sportive, I will be there on hand, along with Cliff Pratt Cycles to provide mechanical support throughout the day.
Last year the weather was bright and sunny, perfect for the days ride, hopefully this year will be the same. There is a choice of three routes, consisting of the Langdale Loop at 37 km, ideal for riders who are new to cycling. Next up comes the Classic, 100 km through some fabulous and challenging Wolds scenery. Finally, the Challenge ride at 134km is not for the faint hearted, it's a tough ride with over 1200 metres of climbing, and will take at least 5 hours of riding. Plus, this year it takes place only a week before the Le Tour de Yorkshire so perfect to get some miles in before watching the pros the week later. More details can be found at http://www.woldssportive.co.uk/ Or contact Adam Hardy on 01430422954 or mobile 07866748721 or Phil Haskins on 01482 841007 or info@woldsportive.co.uk With just a month away the Tour de Yorkshire things are looking up, we are so lucky to be given the chance to watch this marvellous spectacle come through our part of the world.
Please get out your blue and yellow bunting, find some blue or yellow paint and get to work painting your old bike to stick out on the roadside in support of this brilliant event. With the tour kicking off in Beverley this year, what could be easier than making your way there to experience the thrill of the start, or maybe pick a quieter spot towards Market Weighton, or even take a picnic and head for the dales or North Yorkshire moors. |
Craig BoddiceI am the company founder and a very keen cyclist who has enjoyed cycling since the first day I sat on my first bike. What I love about cycling is the freedom and chance to go places under your own steam. Plus, it keeps you fit and helps to save money on fuel too! Archives
September 2018
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