Fun in the sun for the 20th bike ride
Sunday 10th July 2005 to Saturday 16th July 2005
Funds raised: £168,000
Number of riders: 211
After an exceptionally hot ride there was a great last night party when the Crooners a highly rated and long established local band came across from England and entertained us into the early hours. They played a song written to commemorate 20 years of The Ride entitled 'My Arse Is Aching'. For many people that would sum up the Paris to Hayling experience.
There was also a splendid performance from the Can Can girls. Meryl Browne, Jenny Phelps, Sally Griffiths, Hazel Barnes, Julie Norton and Teresa Finlay had been rehearsing this for months before the stunning show in Le Havre. This is of course is an amazingly tiring dance and to do it not just once but twice (they were forced to do an encore) after many days' cycling was an impressive feat!
There were nearly 20 under 18 riders and which promised well for the future. One group from Ditcham Park School deservedly won the Team Prize.
20 Years was a real milestone. In that time we had helped over 300 charities and deserving causes and had become, in the words of former rider David Willets M.P, 'An lsland Institution'.
N.B. The exceptionally high total of £168,000 raised included the £60,000 raised on the Island through 'Ride Aid': this was orchestrated by John Clayton, of Bishops, whereby over £60,000 was raised for new equipment for Hayling Health Centre. Ride Aid is a Bike Ride registered charity.