coast to coast - achievement

8/6/2019 Coast to Coast - Achievement

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Ability triumphs on the Coast to Coast (C2C) Cycle Ride

Attitude is equally as important as ability in achieving success and success is what we hoped for as the 45 cyclists gathered in

Tynemouth on May 12th

to start the C2C Cycle Ride for Back Up.

The participants had travelled from all over England, Wales and Scotland. This group of friends were drawn together through a

common desire, to try and raise money and awareness and help transform lives after spinal injury. The 140 mile route, the hard

way into strong prevailing winds, runs from Tynemouth on the North Sea Coast through Newcastle, across County Durham, over

the Pennines and through the Lake Distinct to Whitehaven on the Irish Sea Coast. For the first half of the event strong

headwinds created a significant challenge for even the fittest of cyclists. Everyone had to dig deep to focus on their ability, not

their disability, in completing this challenging route, the hard way.

The vast majority of riders had recently taken up cycling following invitation to this event, indeed many had to borrow bikes to

enter. The C2C Cycle Ride team included numerous inspiring individuals. Pause for a moment and consider the challenge created

by cycling across the country without being able to use your legs. Bret Crossley and Dan Edwards, both paralysed from the ribs

down, were a source of huge inspiration to everyone.

There was considerable soul searching for many understanding how spinal cord injury does not discriminate. Breaking your back

or neck is frighteningly easy to do and can happen to anyone through a road traffic accident, illness, sporting injury, or simply bytripping down the stairs.



Time and time again Bret and Dan had to dig deep to find ‘Will Power’ along the route as they endured ‘arm burn’ but never

stopped cranking the hand cycles uphill and down dale. Ordinarily in a challenging situation you’d expect to be hearing plenty of

moans and groans from cyclists riding up big hills into a headwind but on this event everyone was in awe of the ability of people

when they are focused on achievement.

Dan Edwards Bret Crossley

Brett explained “After I had endured a gruelling London Marathon in which my progress had been severely hampered throughproblems with my racing wheelchair, I didn’t think anything I did in the rest of my life could ever be as hard physically. Ho w

wrong I was. Less than a month later and I have been through a physical challenge that was at times brutal, often painful but still

ended up being utterly fantastic! In 3 days 45 of us cycled over 140 miles from Tynemouth to Whitehaven in bright sunshine,

torrential rain and nearly always into a headwind, which was fierce at times to say the least! By the end of each day’s ride I was

completely exhausted and had been running on empty. Having endured many long punishing climbs and then enjoyed all the

descents after them it felt a fantastic achievement to reach Whitehaven. I wondered at the end just how many times the pedals

on my hand-cycle had gone round in that time. Despite being physically the hardest thing I’ve ever done I’d jump at the chance

to do it all again tomorrow with the same people. It was an experience I’ll never forget, it was brilliant!”

Bret Crossley near Keswick Dan Edwards, Dave McCabe, Howard Moran - Loweswater

“The C2C challenge was an amazing event” said Dan Edwards, “this was my first serious challenge since my accident and what a

challenge it was!!! We cycled across the country, up hills and down hills, in rain and wind, with blood, sweat, aches and pains.

But it was all worth it when I got to the finish line. The encouragement I received was simply the best. Without the motivation of

the team, it would have been a lot lot harder. I’d like to thank everyone for their belief in me and all the help and support I

received.”

Dan was supported along the route by Andy, his Dad. “It was also my first experience of something like this” said Andy. “And

what an experience it was! Being part of this challenge, providing support and motivation, gave me a tremendous sense of pride.

I saw determined individuals gaining self belief as the miles went by. The event was a great success as everyone worked

together supporting one another. I watched as my son Daniel battled, endured the pain to finally achieve his goal, earning a

much needed pat on the back. Well done to everyone who took part and I cannot wait for the next challenge.”



Think what it would be like if you were to lose your sight, and now imagine cycling across the country without being able to see.

That’s exactly what Becky Newham did. Becky joined up with her colleague from Back Up, Natalie Wood, to ride ‘Shirley’ the

tandem. “The first day of cycling was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But the camaraderie and support from the group for Nat

and I on the tandem was overwhelming and made for an amazing couple of days. It was all about meeting a great bunch of

people and overcoming challenges whether you are disabled or not.”

Natalie Wood, Becky Newham alongside the Tyne ‘ Shirley ’ the heavy tandem on a steep hill near Consett

‘Team Near Miss’ had sustained broken necks or backs through various accidents. David McCabe said “sadly some people are

not as fortunate as myself and carry their injury for the rest of their life. Back Up support and transform the lives of those people

who are not so lucky.” “At the end of the ride there was a tremendous sense of personal and team achievement. The riders,

helpers and support people all working together as a team was an amazing feeling. When the going got tough watching Brett

and Dan get up the mountains made me dig deep, if they can do it, I can do it! They are an inspiration to all. I have met some

great people and although it hurt at times I had many laughs along the way.” said Howard Moran of Team Near Miss.

‘ Team Near Miss’ – David McCabe, Howard Moran, William Penrice

‘Team Rochdale’ comprised of a group of mentors, volunteers and workers from the Youth Offending Team, in association with

their “Re-Cycle” community reparation project. This project renovates bikes that have been donated by the public and where

the young people involved are taught not only how to fix and maintain them, but also principles of cycle safety. The group are

funded by the Martin and Judith Ainscough Charitable Trust. The group helped many of the participants with technical problems

along the way and like everyone involved found huge reward in the challenge of completing the Coast to Coast the ‘hard’ way.

One of the group, Warren says "It was great to have been involved in such a well organised top event, I thought it

was brilliant that the people who had been affected by spinal injuries and received support from Back Up took part and did their

bit for such a great cause. They were inspirational throughout. I found it extremely rewarding to have completed the challenge.

The whole journey is one I will remember for a long time to come and I made lots of new friends along the way!”



Team Rochdale: Toby, Alan, Nathan and Warren Toby making some running repairs

A massive thank you to all the drivers, nurses, motivators, mechanics, bag carriers, food and drink stop helpers, traffic directors,

photographers, pushers and pullers for displaying such an awe inspiring demonstration of genuine teamwork. I would also like

to remember those who trained so hard, fundraised so well but sadly due to injury were unable to partake in the event.

Becky Newham & Paul Sadler The amazing nurse Claire Lewis

Access issues and solutions Support in progress, patching wounds, repairing bikes and feeding

Back Up receives no Government funding and relies on the generosity of its supporters as a vital source of income. Without

support, it is increasingly difficult to provide vital services such as wheelchair skills, rehabilitative activity courses, mentoring and

signposting to people affected by spinal cord injury throughout the United Kingdom. This is where your money makes adifference:



£25 enables one spinal cord injured participant to attend a wheelchair skills course in a spinal centre, which improves his

or her confidence and independence.

£140 will contribute towards enabling one mentee to meet up with their mentor to do an activity together, such as

bowling, which will help the mentee gain confidence in the future.

£1000 will cover the costs for one participant to attend Back Up’s multi -activity taster weekend where they will access a

range of sports from canoeing to abseiling and meet and share experiences with participants with and without spinal

cord injury.

Donating is easy and as well as making a difference and it will make you feel good. Back Up has helped Dan and Bret to

believe in themselves and be able to fulfil happy lives and achieve anything, believing in ability rather than being defined by

disability. Together we rode a total of 6,300 miles across the country. Please help us reach our £10,000 target:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/C2C4BackUp

To find out more about Back Up please visit - www.backuptrust.org.uk

To find out more about other events please visit - www.getbackout.co.uk

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