Cycling solicitor storms through France in charity-ride

Peter Taylor at the beginning

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Cycling Rochdale solicitor Peter Taylor has completed a gruelling Euro-cycle ride in a bid to raise cash for adults with special social and educational needs.

As reported on Rochdale Online last month, Peter was prompted to do this because his brother Anthony lives at the Camphill Community in Milton Keynes. Camphill is a charitable organisation offering a caring and supportive quality of life for adults who might otherwise struggle to live in a more conventional social environment.

The four-person team, who called themselves the Camphill-Billies, consisted of Peter, Elaine Bradley (Chief Executive of Camphill Milton Keynes), her husband Steve and Miguel Werneck (Camphill Co-worker). Their ‘journey from hell’ began on Thursday 20 September down the M20 from Milton Keynes where they then headed south for the Channel Tunnel terminal and thence to Belgium and on to Luxembourg for the start of their race.

On the following day, they rose early and after assembling their kit in a very cold start to the day, were finally ready for the 7.00am start. The first day’s race was 168 miles over extremely mountainous terrain and a very tired and weary team finally got back in last place at 6.30pm.

Peter said: “It was purgatory and took years off my life. There were over 50 teams of 4 and many of the others were 30-somethings; all fit and healthy and with months of training behind them, dressed for the part in acres of Lycra. We were rather less image-conscious and really did think that the term 'hillbillies' summed us up very neatly.

”They had some very entertaining names such as the 'Red Hot Hilly Peddlers' and the 'Hairy Test Cycles' whose support vehicle’s logo was very definitely in the 'worst possible taste’!

“Our little legs struggled to cope with the gradients and Steve didn't notice that we had stopped for him and went head over the handlebars; suffering some very nasty cuts and bruises in the process.

“When we got back last and there was no room for us in the restaurant with the rest of the lunatics, so we sat on our own in the bar thinking of England and muttering darkly.”

On the following day, the teams cycled to the cathedral city of Reims; a further 176 miles over yet more hills and mountains although they improved their performance of the previous day and managed to avoid the ‘wooden spoon’ even though the yellow jersey still eluded them.

On Sunday, they headed off on another 160-mile ride through the Champagne region although the schedule together with the need to keep cool and sober heads prevented them from stopping to sample the famous local produce.

Despite a few mechanical failures, Elaine managed to get the Hillbillies back to Milton Keynes in more or less one piece.

Peter is appealing to those who have not already donated to support him for this life shortening experience. He told us that every penny received will be placed in a special fund to provide for a facility to care for Camphill residents as they get older and their dependency levels increase. By taking part in the race, Peter has already raised over £1000 for the Camphill charity.

Peter wishes to thank all those who have supported him so far and is asking that anyone who would also wish to support this very worthy cause send their donation either directly to the website which is https://localgiving.com/charity/camphill/project/extramile-bike-ride or else just send it to him at directly at: Peter L Taylor (Managing Partner), AST Hampsons, 128 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, OL16 1LA

Peter, who, in the best Bradley Wiggins traditions, grew his sideburns for the event has got used to his new furry, facial additions and is undecided as to whether or not to reach for his razor. It is not known what his wife’s thoughts are on the issue!