CYCLIST TEAM CAPTIN WILLIAM STEWART

‘We set off from Holyhead at 12.30. The mayor of Holyhead, Geoff Evans, saw us all off, and gave us great support. We made our way to Amlwch, it was a brilliant day, the Sun was shining, we were positive. My mobile telephone was like a telephone exchange, with people asking ‘where are you’, etc. Just after Amlwch, we heard the news that the support vessel, for the Rowers, had broken down and the Rowing was cancelled! To be truthfull, the news was devastating. It was decided that we would all, the Rowers, Cyclists and the marchers, meet at menai bridge Pier, where the Rowers were. Just near Pentraeth, it started to rain, we had done some miles but the Menai Bridge 2 miles sign was a welcome ‘beacon’. As we cycled through Menai Bridge, it was very wet. It is tempting to think...might get better weather in Winter! On through menai bridge, we made our way to the Pier, there they all were, the spirit of the local area personified, Event participants, family and friends...waiting for us in the pouring rain! There was a photo-shoot for all the Rowers, Marchers and Cyclists. It was decided that those that could would continue. The Marchers and Cyclists carried on back to holyhead. It was raining, wet and all you wanted was a steaming bath. We carried on. Cycling through Aberffraw, we could not get any wetter. On we cycled. Everybody was a hero. We came to the brow of a hill and there it was, Holyhead Mountain! Over the ‘Cob’ we went, through Holyhead...got to the start of Newry beach...one last leg...there they were, waiting for us at the far end...people had had a long day, but that did not diminish the energy of their welcome. Amidst handshaking and back clapping, you thought...’this is all worth it’’This event was a success. if there are certain aspects of the event, caused by the support vessel breaking down, that were not accomplished, like true sporting people...we try again! Thank you to Grahame Morgan, from ‘Motorwise’, who was on standby incase anybody had a puncture, or a bicycle needed fixing.

The cyclists that took part were, in alphabetical order.

Geoff Blackwell, Lee McCaan, Peter Murphy, Anne Rhodes, William Stewart and Dave "Twin" Jones.