The meet

First prize in the Cycling Meet competition!

Off we go!. Until next year. 

York to Kirklevington. For the first time a slight wind against us but no rain. Met by Bernadine and Swaledale Oudoor Club at Kirklington. Lovely to hear the bells ringing as we rode in. Lunch supplied by Kirklinton ringers. Thank you. Then last stretch to Richmond. Stopped briefly at Bedale where the bells were ringing for us again! Thank you again.The rector and team were cycling on an exercise bike for 50 hours outside the Church to raise  money for the Church roof. We were delighted to hear that the Cleator Moor bells are still potentially destined for Bedale - perhaps this should be our next project. Then to Richmond. Brief stop at the station before the dash up the hill to be met by St Mary's bells and hand bells ringing outside the town  hall. Cake and fizz and warm remarks by Russell Lord the mayor and then home to prepare for the float the next day.  
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Ringing Kirklington
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Arrival at Richmond Station

Arrival at Town Hall

Reception in Town Hall

Celebration cake

Easy day's cycling from Beverley. 43 miles  Beautiful Yorkshire wolds. Ringing at Pocklington where Vicky trained to ring as a girl. Delicious lunch courtesy of Vicky's parents. Thank you. On again to York and to St Wilfrids's where joined by Tim Holmes. Another lovely ring of Gillett and Johnson. Final supper at Mama Mia. Excellent. Long final day tomorrow to ring at Kirklington and then to Richmond. 

Coffee Market Weighton

Ringing Pocklington

Pocklington. All female band.

Fantastic lunch courtesy of Vicky's parents and Abigail and Jessica.

300 mile mark and still going strong

Outside St Wilfrid's York. Glenys Rogers, Barbara, Andrew, Graham, Glenys Jones, Janet, John, James, Yvonne, Peter. 

Early start (which proved unnecessary as we cycled SO fast). Happy to be joined by Graham who kept up a fantastic pace and Janet likewise. We actually had a hill today going into the Lincolnshire Wolds. Usual brilliantly welcome at Pat's cafe stop at 20 miles and lunch at Barton at 40 miles again at Pat and Ron's haute cuisine cafe. Thank you so much to both of you. The bells at Barton are superb. Gillett and Johnson front 4 installed after WW1 and 17th c back 4. They sounded lovely even when rung by us! The firm "Hopper" a  long defunct bike manufacturer had their factory in Barton and one of the crosses in the chapel has ball bearing and chain motives on it referring to the bicycle trade. After Barton  over the Humber Bridge to Beverley. 57 miles. Unfortunately no ringing at the Minster but a great welcome at Sutton on Hull for ringing in the evening and lovely to have Susan with us. Another great day and the weather was good as well. Sadly only another 2 days to go. 

Graham setting a fine pace

Ringing at Barton and the "cycle cross" with ball bearings and spokes

Over the Humber Bridge

and under

Where are the hills? Today we were gently blown along through lovely, but oh so flat countryside, from Stamford to Sleaford. For once  arriving early. We must be getting fitter.Lovely bells but even John could not manage the 7. Something badly wrong with it we thought, although the locals said they thought it was fine. It wasn't. On again through flat country to Lincoln. One steep hill in Lincoln which Bob the tandem  refused even though urged on by its riders using the whip. It  needs  more training. Arrived at Bishop Grosseteste university campus for the night. Ideal but unfortunate name. Just off to supper at the Wig and Mitre and then off to Lincoln Cathedral.  
12 bells at Lincoln. "The company" many of whom trained there as youths and now in 70s and 80s gave a brilliant show. John Underwood, one of their number's, grandfather was head gardener at Aske for our patron's grandfather! Small world. To Beverley tomorrow. Legs, morale and bikes holding up so far.
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Sleaford. John struggling with the errant seventh
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Ringer's chapel Lincoln Cathedral and Glenys and Glenys at the 200 mile mark

From Cambridge along the side of the guided bus cycleway. Fast and flat. Coffee stop at Hemingford Grey with Yvonne's friends. Then on to our 32 mile lunch stop at Castor. Ringing at St Kyneburghia. Brilliant bells and church. Fallen and real angels abound.Then on to Stamford where we rang  in medieval church of St Johns. c1500 ring of 4. Very special. Then  to ring at All Saints. Lovely bells. Rutland ale much appreciated . Excellent dinner at London Inn. 3 days in cycling and ringing going well. All 8 of us still together! Drizzle and northerly wind today but tomorrow will be sunny with a southerly wind to blow us to Lincoln.
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Guided bus cycleway

Castor St Kyneburgha

Angels at Castor
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St John's Stamford
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Waltham abbey to Cambridge. Good weather, gentle ride but Northerly wind. Photos show Barley, alternative ways of travelling, lunch (courtesy of Ron and Pat), Barkway and Cambridge. Excellent dinner at Rose and Crown Histon. 

Good day! Sun shone. Everyone very agreeable! We were  brilliantly led through London by Leigh and James. Ladies of Walthamstow provided lunch. Coffee at St Paul's with Tim  and Lucy.
Photos show leaving St Mary's Richmond; Houses of Parliament; Meeting Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond; meeting MP for Richmond, Rishi Sunak; ​St Saviour's Walthamstow, Handbells St Mary's Walthamstow, St Mary's frame without bells pending £85,000 HLF grant refurbishmnent; ringing at Waltham Abbey

Meeting the Mayor of Richmond David Linnette and Richard Cheetham Bishop of Kingston

Small helpings

Ringing at St Mary Magdalene Richmond

Broken rope - Surrey's fault not N Yorks'!

​"I am aware, having worshipped very recently at St Mary’s, Richmond, North Yorkshire and having been a regular worshipper there many years ago, of the Richmond-Richmond tandem cycle ride which is taking pace from 23rd to 29th May.  This is to send my good wishes and prayers for this effort.  I do hope that it goes well and that it is rewarding both for the bell appeal and also spiritually as you make this pilgrimage from St Mary’s Richmond to St Mary’s Richmond!
 
With prayers and all good wishes,
 
+Richard
 
Rt Revd Dr Richard Cheetham
Bishop of Kingston"