Page 109 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Tandem Steve Mills, Rob Threadgold, Paul Musk, Dave Woollett,
Below: The Tadem Bikers, Left to Right:
Craig Brindley and Mark Long
Charity Bike Ride Paul Musk and Dave Woollett cycling through Parc de Saint (Paris)

By Staff Sergeant Paul Musk

The Blind Veterans UK is Inspirational Riders
a charity established since

1915 for visually impaired We started early on 12 May 2016 where
39 riders met at the Blind Veterans UK in
ex-servicemen and women Brighton. Spirits were high and there was a
and provides free services great atmosphere and everyone was happy
and looking forward to the challenge.
and lifelong support. As part Day one was not going to be a long ride
of a fund raising event they as we only had to get to Newhaven then
were looking for a soldier who over to Dieppe. However, it was a great
opportunity to get to know other members
could act as a guide to ride a of the Team and the other two Tandem
tandem bike from Brighton to pairs, Steve the Sports/Recreational co-
ordinator and Rob (Ex Royal Artillery). Rob
Paris (the Eiffel Tower) 12th sustained severe head and facial injuries
to 15th May 2016. in Afghanistan in 2010, which led to him
to losing his sight. Then there was Craig
the Rehabilitation and Training instructor
As Easy As Riding A Bike and Mark. Mark was a Sergeant in the
Royal Corps of Signals, who lost his sight
due to a tragic accident in 1999.
I was first introduced to Dave Woollett
who registered blind in 2004. He served as
a Corporal in the Territorial Army 1984 Cycling with Pride
to 2002 with the Royal Engineers. We The Ups and Downs
began our training in January 2016, on The second day started by laying a wreath
the road to hell, well Rye actually, where at the Dieppe-Canada Monument as a Today we were travelling approximately
we quickly learnt the subtle differences show of respect to those who gave their 60 miles, with a good measure of hills
to riding a tandem bike. The first rule lives in World War 2 and the wounded added into the mix; it made for an
is communication and the second is who returned. It was a sober moment, interesting ride; I decided to race against
teamwork. The third rule is, tell no one but one that reminds us of the the other tandem pairs. Travelling
about Bike Club. incredible work that many charities through Le Coudray, Marines and finally
do today looking after servicemen Pont de Poissy we battled up and down the
and women. Then it was a 50 mile hills climbing over 774 feet and reaching
ride to Gournay-en-Bray. I must speeds of over 40 mph. We didn’t win, but
say it brought me a great deal of we had fun trying.
pride that day wearing my Blind
Blind Veterans UK - Charity Bike Riders and Support Crew Veterans UK Top. The Final Leg

With only 30 miles to go to Paris, we
were all itching to go. Travelling through
Forestiere de la Foret de Marly, Grand
Canal and Parc de Saint. The sights of
France were truly amazing. However, we
still had to climb 568 feet before the final
5 miles leading down to the Eiffel Tower
itself. Managing to dodge the French
motorists on the way was no mean feat,
but we all made it there in one piece. It
was a journey that I will never forget. The
Charity Bike ride raised over £29,000.

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