Sunday 3rd June

A 7am start on a lovely sunny and warm morning saw me onboard the Raleigh and heading for Blackshots and the annual Thurrock Cycle Marathon. Got there just after 08.30 to find the Gateway CC members had already set up their Gazebo. I had no plans to ride this event instead I was to stay with another Gateway member David Fish to look after members stuff and to give out details of our club to anyone that was  interested.
                                                      Some riders still signing on

   The riders set off at 09.30 and had three route to take either the 7 miles or 21 miles and those that could went round twice for 42 miles.
                                                             And off they go!

  The 7 milers came back first and it was good to see some young children taking part in this ride. One youngest of 91 years old was Stan Wall now a veteran of this event and has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years doing this ride. This year his wife told him he must not do the 21 miles as he hurt himself in a fall a few weeks ago. So Stan did the 7 miles instead but you could see he really wanted to go around again! Okay so he has a little help with a e-motor but he`s still a remarkable man.
                                                                    Stan Wall

                                                                   

With riders back the winner of a new bike from Decathlon (who also had a Dr. Bike stand)  was Karen Dobson of the Viking Avoidance CC, her entry number  was picked out my the Mayor of Thurrock.

                                 On the left the Thurrock Mayor with Karen and her new bike.

And so it was time for me to head for home reaching there about 3pm with a total mileage of 27 miles. Making this my longest ride this year!