Cycling in support of the City of Culture bid

ELEVEN cyclists from Warrington have completed an incredibly  tough challenge – to cycle from the west to the east coast of England over four days.
The 200-mile ride saw them complete an average of 50 miles each day while taking in stunning scenery, tough climbs, and dealing with very interchangeable weather.
It included a stop in Hull – for the group to show their support for Warrington’s bid for the title in 2021.
The group left Warrington and headed out along the Trans Pennine Trail
passing through Sankey Bridges, Latchford Locks, and Lymm before whizzing through Manchester, culminating with a hilly finish at the bottom of the valley at Glossop.
On day two, the riders faced some tricky climbs out of Glossop and tackling the Pennines across the infamous Woodhead Pass – where the group ploughed their efforts into reaching the summit at top of the Woodhead Tunnels.
While the day eventually saw a much flatter ride, bad weather arrived soon after the summit and the group arrived almost 40 miles later in very wet clothes in the Doncaster area for their overnight stay.
Day three saw the cyclists tackle their longest ride yet – 65 miles to Selby and onto Hessle at the foot of the Humber Bridge.
Before reaching their final destination in Hornsea, the cyclists stopped off in Hull to show their support for Warrington’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid.
Two members of the group created posters to display in the heart of Hull City Centre in an area regenerated as a result of the City of Culture investment.
The challenge was organised by Lou Shannon, health and inclusion engagement officer at LiveWire.
She said: “The fact we could visit the current City of Culture was the icing on the cake and for us and to be able to show our support for the Warrington bid was brilliant.
“We had a chat with local volunteers in the city, who revealed the real benefits the status had brought to the town including fantastic areas of regeneration, iconic cultural displays such as the Weeping Window Poppy Display, and the creation of volunteer roles to share the story of Hull. It was a fantastic insight to be able get this information from local people passionate about culture in their city.
“I have pledged that I will run from Warrington Town Hall to Hull City Centre, along the Trans Pennine Trial, if we are successful in our bid – so watch this space I may need some support cyclists to join me.”
Along the way, the group were supported by volunteer, Laura Akers – who transported their luggage and restocked food and water to allow the cyclists to concentrate on the miles in the saddle.
Lou, added: “The challenge was aimed at people who would not normally take on such a long ride and was used as a training exercise for a tougher Coast to Coast ride, taking place in July.
“The support the group gave each other was amazing and together we really made sure we completed it with huge smiles on our faces.
Karen Jones, one of the 11 cyclists who completed the ride, said: “I’m not the best, or the fastest cyclist and I categorically hate hills but with the help, support, and encouragement of an amazing bunch of people, I completed the challenge.
“I’d love to put into words what it meant to me but I simply can’t find the right words to evidence the elation I’m feeling.”