Riders home safe after epic fifth bike ride
Saturday saw the return of the ‘Pink Link Pedal for Pounds 5: The Chapman Trail’ bike ride to Huddersfield, when 300 cyclists including Town Chairman Dean Hoyle cycled into the John Smith’s Stadium after three and a half days of pedalling!
The #P4P5 riders did their celebratory lap of honour around the pitch just before kick-off at the last home game of the season against Leicester City to a standing ovation by home and away fans alike. Amongst the crowd was Ken Chapman, nephew of the legendary manager Herbert Chapman, whom this year’s Pedal for Pounds was named after.
The fifth annual fundraising bike ride in aid of the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign began in the early hours of Wednesday 23 April when the cyclists travelled down to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium ready to start the 250 mile ride. After collecting their bikes, kindly transported down to London by club partner Expect Distribution, and putting on their coloured helmet covers produced by club partner Orchard Energy, they were on their way to Cambridge, the first of three overnight stops.
Day Two saw the cyclists pedal 70 miles to Leicester in glorious weather, some making a short detour to have photos outside the King Power Stadium. Bad weather hit on Day Three of the ride though, which was rainy and drizzly all along the 80 mile route with some challenging (and very muddy) cycle paths on the way to Doncaster.
On Day Four the cyclists had a 40 mile journey into Huddersfield stopping at PPG Canalside where they were greeted by their friends and family and heard speeches from Town Commercial Director Sean Jarvis, YAA Head of Fundraising Paul Gowland and Chairman Dean Hoyle, thanking all those who took part.
Chairman Dean Hoyle, who has completed every Pedal for Pounds bike ride since the first one in 2010, said: “To get 300 people doing it for the fourth year on the trot is a credit to everybody. I am aching but it’s been good. It was an excellent ride, superbly organised and a decent route.
“It is inspiring to see young and old, from 17 to 75 year olds, and also all the volunteers who give all their time up to come and help.
“It was fantastic riding into the Stadium; it really makes it all worthwhile for people to see their family and friends, especially for those who’ve never ridden 250 miles before in their lives.”
Town’s Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan added:
“On behalf of HTAFC and the YAA I would like to thank all the wonderful support team, the Pink Link for their valued sponsorship, all the companies and club partners who have sponsored and donated things to the ride, Mark Ronan for his work on the route, everyone who has supported us by tweeting good luck messages and donated to the cause, and of course all the cyclists for taking part.
“Pedal for Pounds has grown into something huge, recognised throughout the world of football and beyond, and we are looking forward to announcing how much has been raised for the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign in the coming months”.
To see some of the hundreds of good luck messages on twitter, simply search the hashtag #p4p5.
Interviews with HTAFC’s Sean Jarvis and YAA’s Paul Gowland can be found HERE.
Photos from the event will be uploaded to www.facebook.com/htafcdotcom in the coming days.
It’s not too late to donate to the ride which raises funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the HTAFC Academy, just visit www.justgiving.com/keepitupcampaign or text KIUP99 £5 to 70070.
