Coastbusters

[p][b]**STOP PRESS** [/b][i]Because we wouldn't have completed our cycle until after the second national lockdown started (00:01 on Thursday 5th), and lockdown would also have disrupted our logistics for the return home, we postponed our ride, first from 2nd-5th November 2020 to 23rd-26th May 2021, and now to 12th-15th September 2021. [/i][/p][p][b]Team Coastbusters[/b] are a group of friends who really enjoy cycling. They used to love Football, Rugby & Basketball but those days are distant memories. But they like to cycle, keep fit and enjoy the challenges of long distance bike rides as well as raising money for good causes. So on 12th September 2021 they're off on a 442km (275 mile), 4-day cycle to Padstow in Cornwall, in aid of Mission EmployAble and the Chorleywood Cricket Club Pavilion Fund.[/p][p][b]Mission EmployAble[/b] aims to train people with learning difficulties, to employ some and help others find work so that they can lead fulfilled lives working and contributing to their local community. It needs a venue for a 30 cover cafe / tea room with a gift shop to provide training opportunities for over 20 trainees per week. So ME and CWCC are now working together to build a brand new pavilion with combined facilities (cricket pavilion / cafe / tea room / training facility) on Chorleywood Common.[/p][p][i]So who's actually cycling to Padstow?[/i][/p][p]Tony Bendall's a veteran of 15 London To Brighton bike rides, several trips from Chorleywood to Brixham, Bristol and Padstow. Out most weekends cycling in and around Herts & Bucks covering about 4000 miles a year on one of his many bikes. Strava and Garmin are his top 2 gadgets![/p][p]Gary Waller - "I’m fairly old hand to cycling, I love it, especially long distances. I have completed some big bike rides in the past, like Coast to Coast. I know that I’ll be looking forward to crossing the finishing line, although the laughs with the team during the ride are always great. However, I’m not looking forward to cycling up any hills that are planned en route.”[/p][p]Robert Finney's cycling career began with a touring bike ride through Burgundy. Many wine regions later, Robert started long distance cycling in Blighty (only 4 London-Brighton's so far) - most recently leading a group of ten round the Isle of Mull in his native Scotland. If Tony’s the ideas man, Robert’s the planner, ensuring the trio finds a picturesque route away from the trunk and other A-roads which Tony so loves![/p][p]Our original three Coastbusters have been joined by two friends: Patrick Turnbull and Adrian Horsburgh, both from Chorleywood, with all proceeds going to Mission EmployAble.[/p][p][b]Adrian Horsburgh[/b]. "Definitely the amateur in the group with a rather rusty bike but hopefully a good enough engine to see the distance out." (Adrian is a man of few words but he will get the job done and he will be a great asset to the team)[/p][p][b]Patrick Turnbull[/b]. "Over the last 15 years my friends have allowed me to cycle with them and I just about managed to keep up but I really enjoy the company and banter. As a family we have had our summer holidays every year near Padstow for 25 years and I am so looking forward to cycling there - it’s a long drive let alone a bike ride!"[/p]