Following 3 days and 109 miles, the Coast to Coast team woke bright and early on Thursday to ride the 61 miles from York to the finish line in Bridlington. Even though the 6.30am wake up was a shock to the system for some, everyone was ready to hit the road determined to finish the Coast to Coast tandem challenge on a high. Before getting back in the saddle, we interviewed Dave Butler and Oliver O’Keefe to ask how they were feeling this close to the finish line:
Click Here to listen to Dave Butler’s interview
Click Here to listen to Oliver O’Keefe’s interview
An unexpected mechanical issue led to a mad dash to the local Halfords store, who donated an inner tube. Everyone would like to thank Halfords for their generosity and keeping everyone on the roads!
The riders on Thursday morning
Mike Reilly on day 4
The day started with the plan of riding around the racecourse, before heading along the River Ouse to the first check point in Stamford Bridge (the town and not the football stadium). However, for some riders this wasn’t the case – this at least gave some pilots the chance to improve on their map reading skills.
Following the rest, there was an eventful experience where half the group got split by a level crossing. Due to the busy train traffic, the riders continued in 2 groups, taking in the gorgeous Yorkshire Wolds scenery. The team finally came back together to enjoy a picnic on the village green in Hutton Cranswick.
Riders arriving at Stamford Bridge
“Teamwork makes the dream work” – the support team help with a mechanical issue
After lunch, the next stop was Sewerby, 1 mile from Bridlington, where the riders came together to reflect on their achievement before the ‘victory lap’ into Bridlington (and to snack on even more Jelly Babies). Travelling in convoy along the promenade, the riders were met at the finish line by the support team with the Queen anthem ‘We are the Champions’ blasting from the speakers. The riders passed over the finish line with some punching the air or with arms raised in the air in celebration. There was a mixture of pride, exhaustion, euphoria and relief as the team embraced after completing the Coast to Coast challenge. The last thing to do was take the obligatory photos in front of the Way of the Roses sign. A memento highlighting their achievement!
Peter with his pilot David Allen
Selfie of the riders in Sewerby
The Goalballers celebrate completing Coast to Coast
After a quick ‘ice bath’ in the North Sea, the team came together to enjoy a meal and a few drinks at the Marina Restaurant, where everyone was able to let their hair down and celebrate this fantastic achievement. We interviewed Brittany (who originally suggested the idea of Coast to Coast), David Knott and Goalball UK CEO Mike Reilly about how they felt now the challenge had come to end.
Click Here to listen to Brittany’s interview.
Click Here to listen to David Knott’s interview.
Click Here to listen to Mike’s interview.
Everyone would like to say a huge thank you to the tandem pilots, who volunteered their time to guide our Goalballers safely from Coast to Coast.
The fantastic tandem pilots celebrate completing Coast to Coast
Secondly, a huge thank you to Kathryn Fielding, for organising the challenge, even though at times she came close to pulling her hair out.
Finally, we would like to thank the support team of Faye Dale, Dani Dillon, Rob Avery, Sarah Paddison and Clare Hunter, for driving the vehicles, helping with mechanical difficulties, setting up check points and keeping the riders hydrated and fuelled (primarily on jelly babies).
Without all these people, Coast to Coast would not have been possible!
It is important to remember though why everyone took part in the challenge, and that was to raise money to further develop Goalball UK. In total, everyone raised over £9000, which is an incredible achievement!
One thing is for certain, this is only the beginning of Goalball UK endurance challenges… did someone say John O’Groats to Lands End….?
