Hello everyone
It was a great joy to be able to get out cycling with some actual blue sky and sunshine, leading a club ride to Oxford – simple pleasures! Here is a quick update on the outcome of the White Horse Cycle Challenge and Mince Pie Rides:
The weather conditions throughout December were variable but we saw a good number of challenge rides going on, from club members and from the wider local community. As always, great respect to those who made it up the great Hill. The day of the main Mince Pie Rides (last Sunday) coincided with Storm Darragh passing through and we had some anxious exchanges of messages around the committee and with our intrepid ride leaders before eventually deciding to go ahead. We are glad that we did as, despite a lot of clubs cancelling their own rides over, we still saw a steady stream of riders making it up the Hill to be rewarded with Carin’s awesome mulled wine and ample supplies of mince pies. Using our sophisticated ‘cup count’ algorithm, we saw approx 40 riders pass through in total – significantly down on previously years, but valiant efforts from all concerned. We offer our grateful thanks to the ride leaders and all who helped out on the day (Carin, Steve B and Mandy) and in the preparation and contribution of supplies beforehand. It was also great to gather in the Fox at Denchworth for a lovely Christmas lunch afterwards – thanks to Di for organising that so smoothly. Adding together the online donations and the contributions on the day, we have raised a magnificent £966 to date and again many thanks to all who contributed so generously. The JustGiving link is still active for any outstanding contributions:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/whitehorsecyclingchallenge2024
It would be great to push that total over our £1,000 target.
We had very good engagement and support from the Whizz Kidz charity and I have received this message from the team there: “Thank you so much for another year’s incredible fundraising. This is a really brilliant amount, my thanks to you and everyone who took part”.
I am also glad to say that we were able to donate surplus mince pies to the Wantage Food Bank and and Community Fridge teams and the surplus mulled wine has been enthusiastically taken off our hands by club members!
Let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a good New Year.
John
Happy cycling!
John
