Pedal to Hereford!

Last weekend, a group of us (16 in total) rode approximately 160 miles from Southampton to Hereford.  The purpose of the ride was to raise money to support the wonderful work of the Hereford-based Royal National College for the Blind (RNC).  We had been planning and training since February.  We had been anxiously watching the weather forecast.  There had been the possibility of the tail end of Hurricane Lorenzo fouling up our plans, but thankfully it went through the day before we set off.

(photographs are below the text...)

The fun started at our ABPmer office on Town Quay, Southampton.  ‘Saint’ Helen arrived with our support van into which bags, spare bikes and miscellaneous bits and pieces were thrown.  Damon provided the warm-up act - an impressive pirouette at the end of Town Quay – first man down….!  Bruised rump and pride, but otherwise OK. We then crossed the start line with wonderful support and cheers from our work colleagues.

We rode out of Southampton to Totton, then through the lovely back roads of the New Forest to Nomansland, where we met Helen and the van for a brief practise stop.  We then continued to Salisbury.  Dan provided further entertainment with the first (and only!) puncture of the trip.  How many cyclists does it take to change an inner tube??  The end point of our first day was Damon and Sarah’s house.  Bikes were stowed in the garage and we were treated to a magnificent evening of feasting and jollity – thank you so much both!

Saturday morning began with a porridge breakfast at our house.  Apologies all for the peaty, smoky flavour!!  We set off through Wilton, then followed the Wylye Valley to Longleat.  Whilst gliding down the grand sweeping drive into the Longleat estate, poor Colin performed the most spectacular aerobatic display, finally ending up in the Royal United Hospital, Bath quite badly damaged.  The staff at Longleat and paramedics were magnificent.  Thankfully, Colin is now recovering well, but won’t be back on his bike for several months.  Get well soon old friend.

From Longleat, we continued to Mells for a magnificent lunch thanks to Guy, Rosemary and Jean (many thanks).  Next, we rode along glorious disused railway cycle tracks to Bath, then on to Bristol.  One highlight was riding through the long ’Twin Tunnels’ on the approach to Bath. 

Supper in Bristol was had in the most excellent pie shop.  Perfect tucker after a long day in the saddle.

On Sunday, we rode on from Bristol, across the old Severn Bridge, where we met our ride leader for the day, Rod.  We headed northwards along the Wye Valley via Ross.  As the day progressed, the beautiful hills became progressively steeper and more challenging for our tired legs!

A few miles from our final destination, we were thrilled to be met by a team of enthusiastic riders from the RNC Tandem Club: sighted ‘pilots’ on the front, and visually-impaired ‘stokers’ on the back.  It was a pure delight to be escorted in to the college to a warm welcome and a splendid feast.

It was a huge thrill for me to see a new photograph of my dear Dad, Gordon, in the hall of residence at the RNC.

Finally, we packed our bikes into the van, then returned home by minibus.  All in all, a really enjoyable and eventful weekend.  Many thanks all – I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and hope you all did too.

So far, we have raised more than £3,500.  Thanks very much to all our donors.  If you would like to make a donation, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/pedal-to-hereford. 

About the RNC

●        The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), located in Hereford, is the UK’s leading specialist residential further education and training provider for people aged 16+ with visual impairments.

●        The College has been in existence for almost 150 years and has a fantastic history and legacy of providing top quality education, training and life skills to students with visual impairments (VI) in the age range 16 to 25. Retraining programmes are also provided for adult job seekers with VI. It is a unique national asset and is the last post-16 specialist provider for young people with VI.

About Visual Impairment

●        Visual impairment (VI) is a low incidence, high impact disability. RNIB estimates that there are approximately 10,000 young people in England aged between 16 and 25 with a VI severe enough to require specialist support. Department for Education statistics show that only 0.9% of school pupils requiring SEN support have VI. The proportion post-16 is likely to be lower as 38% of young people aged 16-25 with VI are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

●        VI can be congenital or adventitious and often presents alongside additional needs. Many young people with VI experience a deterioration in their sight in their teenage years. Preparation for adulthood requires specialist intervention to access education and to develop the independent living skills they will need to be employable and active in their communities.

●        Visual impairment is a neglected area of SEN because it is a low-incidence, high impact disability which is at the bottom of the pile for influence and funding.