Fifty ladies have completed the challenge of a lifetime this weekend by cycling 140 miles from Whitehaven to Tynemouth all in aid of Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland and sponsored by Pioneer Foods Ltd.

The challenge began at 7.15am on Saturday morning at Whitehaven Harbour as the ladies dipped their tyres into the Irish Sea. They then set off into the stunning scenery of the Northern Lake District, passing Whinlatter and into Portinscale for a well-deserved lunch stop prepared by the Keswick team of Hospice at Home volunteers.

The refreshments were provided by many local businesses, with bread rolls kindly donated by Greggs and Cranston’s, Appleby Creamery, James Fruits and Lakes Free Range Egg Company provided the tasty fillings. McVities and Bells of Lazonby generously gave many snacks and Starfruits made sure the ladies had plenty of apples, bananas and satsumas to keep them going.  The group then cycled down in to the lush Eden Valley where they were met at Langwathby Village Hall by Hospice at Home volunteers who had prepared an Afternoon Tea with the help of Brief Encounters. Elite Training and Therapies were on hand to perform ‘cool-down’ exercises to ensure everyone was ready for the next day.

At the start of Day 2, the ladies met bright and early at Langwathby to start the climb up on to the ‘Roof of England’ – the Northern Pennines.  The road up to Hartside tested the mettle and determination of the individuals, but they all reached the summit to the delight of the Hospice at Home support team who cheered all the ladies in. The steep incline of Garrigill further tested their strength but once again the ladies triumphed and arrived, tired but happy, into Allenheads by late afternoon, where the group stayed overnight.

Day 3 dawned and the atmosphere was buzzing as the cyclists prepared for the final day of the challenge. A steep climb up Crawleyside Bank pushed the ladies to the limit, yet, once again they all reached the top at Parkhead Station, whether cycling, pushing or carrying their bike in one case due to a puncture. Heading down the Waskerley Way, the ladies knew they were on the home straight and headed towards Rowlands Gill, the quayside at Newcastle and ultimately Tynemouth for a triumphant finish at the seafront.

The participants came from all over the North of Cumbria, and were joined by three ladies from Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire and Pennsylvania, USA. The ages ranged from 20 year old Ailsa Scott who was cycling with her grandmother, Barbara Hand, who was the oldest participant at the age of 70.

The ladies bonded fantastically well as a group and the camaraderie throughout the weekend certainly contributed to the successful completion of the challenge.

The Charity has received fantastic support from local businesses and companies who generously donated products, advice and support. Lloyd Motors of Carlisle generously provided a Van, which was driven by Geoff Adamson of Arc Eden, who was kept busy as the ‘Maintenance Support’. Arragon’s Cycles offered cycling advice and joined the group on Day 2 up Hartside.  Lynne Mallinson transported cycles to the start in the Country Puddings van.  NBM Coaches provided backup support for all three days and were on hand to provide lifts to any participants and help to transport equipment and luggage. The NBM drivers, Alan and Liam, were incredibly supportive of the ladies and commented that it had been ‘a privilege’ to be part of the experience.

The Charity would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported the event especially Ruth McKenna-Parker who’s idea it was and Martyn Reynolds for all his advice and acting as the rear cyclist for the whole weekend.

The cyclists returned to Cumbria in high spirits on Monday evening, some on Stagecoach and NBM coaches, and the Charity has since received many emails of thanks from the ladies. Comments include:

“Can i just say A BIG THANK YOU to you all for the most AMAZING WEEKEND!!! It was absolutely BRILLIANT from start to finish (including the tears at the end - so emotional!) Loved every minute EVERYONE was so nice and so supportive all the way from the minute we left Whitehaven.”

“How to thank you all enough for allowing me to fulfill one of my dreams in such a pleasant and easy way! You - the organisers were all fabulous. We just had fun and pushed those pedals round… I can't wait to get on my bike again…. “

“I have done sponsored events before but never with so much support/back up/food/cheering and klaxons!! It made the weekend a real pleasure.”

Hospice at Home have raised £51,500 from this Coast to Coast Challenge which will be used to provide nursing care for local people who choose to remain in their own home at the end stages of life free of charge