Matthew and Scott visit the children at the Paddle School during their ‘Bike Week’
The 2008 End2End cycle for charity got underway on Saturday with the team already well past Lancaster by this afternoon. World Rally Championship star and End2End rider Matthew Wilson took time out of his busy training schedule prior to the start to visit some friends who are doing their bit to support the ride.
Eaglesfield Paddle School Students in Cockermouth have been busy riding the same distance the guys will cover from Land’s End to John O’Groats in an attempt to raise funds for the End2End charity cycle. In Just two days over a specially designed course pupils from Nursery through to year six completed the estimated 960 miles in quick time and with amazing enthusiasm.
Hearing of the news, ex-pupil Wilson and his co-driver Scott Martin headed down to the school to support the children on their ride. Excited by the presence of Britain’s WRC star the kids took a five minute break to meet the Stobart Motorsport driver for autographs and photos.
In four days the team has covered over 400 miles through rain, hail and shine but are feeling good with just five days remaining. Wind was in their favour over the opening two days making it a smooth start which offered a helping hand as they kicked off the epic journey.
Each day has been split into 25 mile sections as they launch into action early morning before stopping for a cup of tea, another 25 miles then lunch, 25 more before afternoon tea and then a final 25 to cap off the day. Tomorrow will see the pair head through their home county of Cumbria which also takes them over the Shap Fell – the steepest and highest climb they will face.
Tomorrow, while being escorted by an Eddie Stobart lorry, the End2End team will be stopping at the Stobart Cafe at the Solway Business Centre in Kingstown at 12:30 for interviews and a general chat about how things have be going up until the mid-point of their challenge. All media are invited to the venue to come and catch the guys as they pass through Carlisle.
Matthew Wilson said:
Matthew Wilson during a lunch stop near Shrewsbury on Monday
"Leaving Land’s End it felt good but it was a pretty miserable day down there. There was a lot of rain and mist around – I’m not sure it was clear enough to even get a picture. The cooler conditions were quite nice, not the rain though. The riding itself wasn’t too bad, except there were a lot of really long slow climbs along the A30 and you kept looking up and as far as you could see, the road just kept climbing.
When we were driving down to the start point with the bikes, I thought: "I’m not normally this nervous about starting a rally!" Once we got going, it was good, though. Yesterday we left Bristol in the morning and it took us six hours to get through about 96 miles to just outside Shrewsbury, so it’s been hard work.
A lot of people said the third day would be the toughest and it was, for the first two days you’ve got the buzz and the excitement of what you’re doing, but then on the third day it kind of hits you how far you’ve got to go.
We are staying in Carnforth tonight and then tomorrow it’s into Cumbria where there’s lots planned and lots of support. The only downside is going over Shap Fell, which is one of the biggest climbs on the route."
Please help these worthwhile causes by donating to End 2 End charity cycle through www.end2end2008.com
- Gus Burrows - photos Stobart
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