A Woody's adventure to continue the help & support of others
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A Woody`s adventure to continue the help & support of others…
1. The Routes per Day:
The idea would be to have a safe, structured and meaningful journey from a Cardiff location
(maybe HMS Cambria, Cardiff Bay) to the Eiffel Tower, Paris.
Taking in sites and towns along the way whilst paying our respects to fallen from the Army,
Navy & Air Force for the Great War and the Second World War.
Tuesday 05th July – Day 1: Cardiff to Frome-
Leave HMS Cambria with C: 69 miles to Frome, followed by an overnight stay.
On day 1 we will be aiming to leave together which will create a natural divide
between the numbers where at least one experienced rider and a Ride Captain
will remain with each group.
We will be aiming for a quick refresh stop at C:15/18 miles and a lunch stop at
C:35 miles on the Moto services on the Seven Bridge. Another stop for the teams after C:50 miles
before arriving at the Premier Inn in the outskirts of Frome.
When at the hotel, your luggage and key cards will be set out ready for you to check in. Conduct
your “admin” and get kit and bike ready for the following morning, freshen up and have some food
from the pub on site.
At approximately 19.00 hrs. there will be a briefing on the next day by Organisers and Ride Captains,
followed by a charity Bingo Game.
Wednesday 06th July – Day 2: Frome to Portsmouth -
We ride to a location outside of the Portsmouth Ferry Terminal area (potentially
somewhere like 4 PWRR, C Company) which is a ride of C: 68 miles. Pack gear into
support vans, freshen up and head across to the ferry. Dinner on the ferry
Terminal in a little pub on ferry side where you can eat, have a couple of well-
earned drinks whilst the briefing on the next day by Organisers and Ride Captains
takes place, then all aboard as foot passengers with your overnight bag and ride attire for the
morning and then retire to cabins, on route to Caen.
After a good breakfast, a final check of the bikes and ride kit we pack the wagons and get ready for
the obligatory photo shoot pre-ride.
The group will be split into 2 or 3 teams depending on how many riders we have with each group
having at least a Ride Captain and one experienced rider. Each team will also have a support vehicle
assisting with the route and ensuring that there are maintenance kits and refreshments on board for
each stop.
The teams will be staggered today so that all riders of all abilities enjoy and make the most of the
ride and their surroundings. Teams will see each other on various stop points every C:15/18 miles in
for refreshment and a lunch break at C:37 miles. The aim is to be at the ferry port packed and ready
in plenty of time to relax after leaving the Barracks.
Thursday 07th July – Day 3: Caen to Le Neubourg –
You will need to grab a quick breakfast on the ferry and then all assist the
off load of bikes and support vehicles out in the car par of Ferry terminal.
We then leave for the Pegasus Bridge, originally called the Bénouville Bridge
after the neighboring village, is a road crossing over the Caen Canal, between Caen and Ouistreham
in Normandy.
The original bridge, built in 1934, is now a war memorial and is the centrepiece of the Memorial
Pegasus museum at nearby Ranville. The suggestion for this short ride to the Bridge is that we all
ride together then after paying our respects to our fallen from WWII where Woody`s will offer a
prayer and lay a wreath.
We will then head out in our staggered teams with the respective Ride Captains for Le Neubourg we
will then complete the C:65-mile ride in the town for an overnight stay. Don`t worry, after the initial
stop at the Bridge we will again stop every 14/16 miles for refreshments and a lunch stop at about
C:35 miles.
When at the hotel, your luggage and key cards will be set out ready for you to check in. Conduct
your “admin” and get kit and bike ready for the following morning, freshen up and relax for the
evening.
At approximately 20.00 hrs. there will be a briefing on the next day by Organisers and Ride Captains,
followed by a good old fashioned sing song.
There will be a planned stop near the Hotel to take in the wonderful French culture & hospitality…
Friday 08th July – Day 4: Le Neubourg to Magnanville -
After breakfast we ride the C: 47 miles to the town of Mantes-la-Ville for
overnight stay and quiz night.
We will be visiting shortly after starting the day the Cemetery or Memorial:
VILLEZ-SUR-LE-NEUBOURG CHURCHYARD to pass our respects to CAPTAIN
GEOFFREY LAURENCE BURGESS Service Number: 70014 of the Royal Artillery who sadly passed away
on 26 August 1944 aged 28 years.
A lone British casualty of WWII in this cemetery. Prayers and Woody`s Wreath to be laid in memory
of the Captain Burgess.
The suggestion again, for this short ride to the CWG Cemetery is that we all ride together then after
paying our respects we will then head out in our staggered teams with the respective Ride Captains
heading for the Seine down into Magnanville. Again a stop every C:12 miles for refreshments and a
lunch stop at about C:25 miles.
There will be a planned stop near the Hotel to take in the wonderful French culture & hospitality…
When at the hotel, your luggage and key cards will be set out ready for you to check in. Conduct
your “admin” and get kit and bike ready for the following morning, freshen up and relax for the
evening.
This evening we meet after food & “admin” duties are completed at C:19.30 hrs. for the de-brief &
briefing on the final ride followed by a charity quiz night.
Saturday 09th July – Day 5: Magnanville to Paris -
The final leg of the journey to push through…After
breakfast we ride the C: 35 miles to the Trocadero, Eiffel
Tower where there will be a Champions reception with
photos and celebrations. As Paris is a very busy city, it is
suggested that we stagger the departure but with about 3 miles to go we convene to enable us all to
ride in together with a support vehicle leading the way and a support vehicle bringing up the rear.
All cyclists will then need to have one final push to the Hotel C: 3 miles up the Champs Elysees past
the Arc de Triomphe to hotel.
We won`t be having lunch on the road today, but we will be making a refreshment pit stop at the
halfway point.
When at the hotel, your luggage and key cards will be set out ready for you to check in. We ask that
when at the hotel you all take time stowing the bike safely and securely in the wagon and assisting
the drivers and support personnel in making safe all items that are not related to your individual
luggage.
The remainder of the afternoon can be taken at your leisure.
A Gala dinner will be held in the evening at the hotel with a three-course meal for Certificate &
medal ceremony for all riders, supporters & volunteers. The Ride Captains have planned a short
ceremony “kangaroo court style” as a short bit of fun before as well as a de-brief and briefing on the
plan for getting us all home safely on the Sunday. Then you are all released to enjoy an evening in
Paris….
Sunday 10th July – Day 5: Paris to Home – Well done & Thank You…. After breakfast, there will be transport to the airport. Currently awaiting flight times and will be agreed upon. The support drivers will head back to the ferry port to go directly to Portsmouth. Please ensure that all your luggage not needed for the day is packed, secured and stowed on board one of the support vehicles so you can collect from HMS Cambria later that day. The journey is 117 miles to the port direct on the fast road for the day ferry home, then to Cardiff Bay C: 150 miles. The plan is for us all to arrive back at HMS Cambria for collection of bags & bikes between 1900 hrs. & 2030 hrs.
2. Meet the Ride Captains:
Biographies -
Mr. David “Dai” Mathias:
Dai is a proud Welshman, born in Pontarddulais way back
in 1970...
He has always been mad on all things sporting and after
a moderately successful rugby career, he took up cycling.
Dai has cycled all over Europe and has led many cycling
events overseas and on home soil.
Amongst his finest cycling achievements, he led a team of
Welsh rugby legends on a North to South Wales ride over
2 days and cycled John O ‘Groats to Lands’ End over 7
days with his lifelong pal Gareth (Gaz) Williams who had
suffered a heart attack 12 months before the ride!!
Dai has raised thousands of pounds for various charities
with his cycling exploits and recently delivered the match
ball for the Wales v Scotland rugby international having
collected it from Edinburgh 5 days earlier with Gordon (Porty) Barclay. He wishes he hadn’t
bothered dropping the ball off after Wales’s dismal performance that day!
Dai’s claim to fame is that he once sang in Las Vegas with Tom Jones! Ask him about it…
Biographies - Mr. Gordon “Porty” Barclay: Porty is a 52-year-old police officer with the Metropolitan Police. He is hurtling towards retirement and took up cycling after playing amateur rugby for 40 years. Originally from Edinburgh and working in London, he now lives in Swansea! Gordon has undertaken several charity events himself raising money for SSAFA, Ty Hafan and Motor Neurone Disease. Porty has taken part, organised also led rides in the UK and abroad. As a proud Scotsman he joined his friend Dai Mathias to deliver the match ball to Cardiff raising money for several Rugby Charities. Gordon's claim to fame is that he has an evil twin call Douglas who was once in Interpol’s most wanted list and has a habit of appearing when least expected!! Gordon said of this event: "I am really looking forward to this event and helping to raise money for this amazing charity. My only advice to anyone taking part is have fun, join in and make memories and perhaps most importantly bring a pair of decent cycling shoes and a decent pair of drinking boots for when we get to Paris in case Douglas makes an appearance!"
Biographies -
Mr. Gareth Williams:
Better known as and called by everyone - Gaz
Married and dad of two. Passionate about animals,
healthy living, exercise and the environment.
He has captained many rides abroad for different
Charities from British Heart Foundation & SSAFA and
Now Woody`s Lodge.
Definitely the best looking and most sensible
captain of the bunch (his words). Always happy to
help.
Proud to have served in the Royal Navy many years
ago and loves a good sea story anytime of the day or
night�
The Three Ride Captains -You can also read
