The Big Green Bike Ride

2012 Big Green Bike Ride report

On Sunday 6 May Friends of the Earth's Big Green Bike Ride set off from North London with Edinburgh in its sights.

Six days, 140 cyclists, 30 punctures, four campsites, and hundreds of jacket potatoes later we arrived exhausted but exhilirated in the Scottish capital.

The 500 mile course was certainly a challenge. The weather was unusually bad for May - freezing temperatures, wind and rain, with road closures and flooding.

Day 1: London to Cambridge

An early start in Clissold Park (North London) and we were soon on our way. The first challenge was climbing Muswell Hill, an effective but rather cruel warm-up.

The morning saw a few punctures, which were quickly fixed by our on-hand mechanics, and then it was onto the beautiful Ware Golf Club (Hertfordshire) for lunch.

With full stomachs we were back on the road and heading for Cambridge. Well almost. Some mischievous sign moving by a member of the public misdirected some cyclists, but thanks to the quick intervention of our professional guides, everyone was soon back on course.

A few people made an impromptu stop at a junk shop, but resisted the temptation to buy - there's only so much space in a pannier.

Getting into Cambridge at 6pm, quick showers were had, and it was straight to the bar for a delicious, well-earned buffet.

While tucking into a third helping of cake we were treated to Friends of the Earth's first 40 years: Locally, Nationally, Gobally film

After a good few drinks it was home time for one-day riders and tent time for those brave souls continuing North.

Day 2: Cambridge to Grantham

With an overnight frost, it was a challenge to get out of sleeping bags at 6.30am.

The smell of a cooked breakfast soon helped, and with tents packed down, coffee drunk and a few areas of flooding negotiated we were off on day two.

Cycling across the Cambridgeshire fens we were treated to some sunshine as we passed beautiful villages. Good progress was made in the winding country lanes, but we were soon noticing black clouds on the horizon.

By the afternoon the heavens had opened. A heavy rain shower caused cyclists to arrive in Grantham wet and cold - but the lovely setting of Woodland Waters Campsite soon cheered us up. With 72 acres of wooded valley, five lakes and a huge array of wildlife, there was plenty to see and do.

After dinner in the onsite restaurant, we were treated to a fascinating talk about bees by the coordinator of Friends of the Earth's local group Gabrielle, whose virtual bee hive certainly caused a stir - with some thinking it real.

Day 3: Grantham to Beverley

The sun came out on the third morning as cyclists made their way through Lincolnshire. The gentle terrain enabled cyclists to soak up their surroundings, and even do some wildlife spotting en route.

In these calm surroundings the tandem soon caused a stir. Not only had it been hand-decorated by Friends of the Earth staff, it was also ridden by men in dresses - all part of their fundraising effort. It's amazing how much humiliation can raise.

Just before morning tea break some roadside negotiations were required after an accident caused a road closure ahead. Cyclists were delighted to avoid the 10 mile detour, and slip passed the scene. From there it was straight on to the breath-taking 14 Century Doddington Hall for flapjacks - the best of the trip so far.

Day three was all about landmarks. Wind turbines surrounded the route and our lunch stop was at a fantastic working windmill. Having tucked into soup and homemade bread we were back on the road.

Shortly after lunch the Humber Bridge came into view. A stunning sight, despite the increasingly dark clouds that gathered overhead. Approaching the Humber peninsular was breath-taking. The sand banks shone under rays of light as the dramatic skyline gave a truly unique atmosphere. Crossing the bridge became one of the highlights of the challenge, a magical experience, I'm sure everyone involved will remember for a lifetime.

From there it was a short cycle into Beverley. In the shadows of the Gothic Beverley Minister, camp was set up for the evening. Over dinner, cyclists were treated to guitar playing and a raffle, thanks to the Beverley Friends of the Earth group.

Day 4: Beverley to Darlington

With one of the toughest days ahead, cyclists tucked into a big cooked breakfast before heading off to the North Yorkshire Moors. With some exhilarating downhill slopes to start the day, everyone was really looking forward to the challenge ahead.

After our morning tea break the long climb to the moors began. As the scenery started to change, the skies became darker, shrouding the rugged beauty of the landscape in an atmospheric light.

As the majority of cyclists reached the 16th century Lion Inn - the highest point of the moors - some adrenalin-seekers took a detour in an attempt to climb the 39% Rosedale Chimney: an incredible feat, particularly having already cycled 280 in the previous three days.

Over lunch the sky darkened further and during the steep descent from the moors the rain poured down. Passing a number of fords, it was soon time to climb again - this was one of the hilliest days of the challenge.

It also proved a busy day for our mechanical team, with a tandem breakdown and multiple flat tyres requiring some inventive fixing skills.

Motivated by the thought of their first night in a hotel cyclists continued pushing on to Darlington. Following a delicious dinner an early night was had by all - everyone keen to take advantage of the luxury of a bed.

Day 5: Darlington to Alnwick

Cyclists woke up on the penultimate day to pouring rain and flood warnings.

Waterproofs on and it was time to assess the damage. Flooded roads, burst pipes and a huge quantity of surface water meant we had to alter the route for the day. With the country lanes under inches of water we headed for the bigger roads - a less pleasant journey, but the only one passable by bike.

The poor weather continued as we reached an urban section of the route. This was to become the toughest day of the challenge with poor road surfaces, cold winds and torrential rain. Amazingly however cyclists kept motivated and pushed on.

A delicious lunch by the river Tyne lifted everyone's mood, but back on the road again the heavy rain continued. The push to Alnwick was the longest and coldest section of the challenge. Grit, determination and a chip butty or two got cyclists through. At 7.45 a windswept crowd arrived in a soggy Alnwick campsite, desperate for a hot shower and change of clothes.

A quick turn around and it was time for dinner in the Dunsburgh Castle Hotel. The Indian banquet was the perfect meal to warm people through after such a hard day in the saddle.

Day 6: Alnwick to Edinburgh

The final day and the earliest wake-up call yet - it was a long day ahead.

Tents down, a quick breakfast and we were ready to go - Edinburgh here we come. Conditions were damp but clearing as we departed Alnwick and began the scenic ride towards Scotland.

Despite sore muscles and aching limbs, the adrenalin of the final day had kicked in, and we made good progress throughout the morning. Just before lunch we reached the Scottish Boarder, stopping for a quick photo beside the 'Welcome to Scotland' sign.

Our final lunch stop was truly spectacular - a banquet in Duns Castle, a rare 14th century gothic tower house. The grand dining room and majestic surrounding made a perfect setting for our heroic cyclists as they came to the end of their six-day challenge.

With a group photo taken it was time to get back on the road and begin the final push to Edinburgh.

The sun gave way to heavy rain and falling temperatures as we crossed the picturesque boarder region. A strong headwind, steep climbs and poor road surfaces made this section even tougher - the scenery was great but cyclists were struggling.

With conditions worsening, an unscheduled afternoon break was required on the outskirts of Edinburgh to warm shivering bones. Shortbread, hot chocolate and a warm dry room really helped rejuvenate. It was then time to get back in the saddle for the final 10 miles with our finish line, Dynamic Earth, in sight.

Progressing through the final section of the 500 miles challenge the Big Green Bike Ride finally crossed the finish line at 7.15pm. Cheered on by friends and family there were hugs and high fives all round as we tucked into celebratory tea and cake. It was then time to check into our hotel and get showered before dinner.

Meeting in the bar, cyclists were barely recognisable in their clean clothes and freshly shaven faces. Some well-earned toasts later and we were soon digging into a wonderful three-course meal. The party continued until the early hours. People who'd been strangers a week ago had become firm friends.

Thank you