Academy staff in training for big charity ride
Monday, 15th April 2013.
A group of staff from Castle Manor Academy and their supporters headed to Newmarket recently to take part in a 38 mile- sportive bike ride.
The event, The Wiggle Spring Saddle, was attended by nearly 1,500 riders and, for this group, was treated as a training ride for a longer, 60-mile charity event they are entering in May.
Five members of staff took part in this weekend's ride - Duncan Ainge, Jason André, Andy Barratt, Lisa Freds and Dave Ramsey, along with some supportive family members – Chloe Freds, Karl Player and Jeff Samuels.
The event was the first such event they’ve entered and provided an excellent proving ground for the distance to come. There was a well-posted route, with marshals and food stops on the way.
The route took the group out of Newmarket, through Dullingham and towards the more familiar ground of Thurlow. It then cut across the A143 towards Kedington. At this point the more experienced riders headed straight on for a longer course, while the beginners turned towards Hundon.
From here there was a well deserved rest stop in Clare, before getting back in the saddle and heading for Wickhambrook, Wooditton and finally back in to Newmarket.
The group are not all super-fit PE teachers and include staff from all over the Castle Partnership.
The partnership's marketing and communications manager, Jason André, said: “I’ve been a keen cyclist since I was a teenager, but haven’t done anything structured like this since then.
"It was a brilliant experience. It brought us all together and provided some real encouragement for the longer charity ride. I think we’ve all caught the bug and I’m sure you’ll see us entering more of these.”
These staff will be joining with others from Castle Manor Academy to enter the Moonride, London to Cambridge on May 10. This event starts in London at 10pm and makes its way via a snaking 60-mile route to finish in Cambridge.
All the riders are raising money for Cancer Research and support charities as it is a cause close to their hearts. Their regular training rides have been successful and they’ve been receiving technical support from AeroCycles in Haverhill.
They’ve also enlisted the support of local sport therapist Katie Ditchman, herself an ex-Castle Manor student, who will be on hand to help with recovery after the big ride.
Team leader for PE, Andy Barratt, first suggested the ride and has been leading efforts to get the group in shape and prepared.
He said: “So far the challenge has been a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and really start extending our training preparation. We could not have done this without the kind support and words of encouragement from the local businesses we have been working with.
"For the staff and students the added awareness of why we are doing the ride and then being able to donate to such good causes, just makes the early and very cold training rides that bit easier.”
If you’d like to sponsor the group or any of the riders individually please contact Jason André on JAndre@castlepartnership.org.uk or ring 07899 806 693.
The event, The Wiggle Spring Saddle, was attended by nearly 1,500 riders and, for this group, was treated as a training ride for a longer, 60-mile charity event they are entering in May.
Five members of staff took part in this weekend's ride - Duncan Ainge, Jason André, Andy Barratt, Lisa Freds and Dave Ramsey, along with some supportive family members – Chloe Freds, Karl Player and Jeff Samuels.
The event was the first such event they’ve entered and provided an excellent proving ground for the distance to come. There was a well-posted route, with marshals and food stops on the way.
The route took the group out of Newmarket, through Dullingham and towards the more familiar ground of Thurlow. It then cut across the A143 towards Kedington. At this point the more experienced riders headed straight on for a longer course, while the beginners turned towards Hundon.
From here there was a well deserved rest stop in Clare, before getting back in the saddle and heading for Wickhambrook, Wooditton and finally back in to Newmarket.
The group are not all super-fit PE teachers and include staff from all over the Castle Partnership.
The partnership's marketing and communications manager, Jason André, said: “I’ve been a keen cyclist since I was a teenager, but haven’t done anything structured like this since then.
"It was a brilliant experience. It brought us all together and provided some real encouragement for the longer charity ride. I think we’ve all caught the bug and I’m sure you’ll see us entering more of these.”
These staff will be joining with others from Castle Manor Academy to enter the Moonride, London to Cambridge on May 10. This event starts in London at 10pm and makes its way via a snaking 60-mile route to finish in Cambridge.
All the riders are raising money for Cancer Research and support charities as it is a cause close to their hearts. Their regular training rides have been successful and they’ve been receiving technical support from AeroCycles in Haverhill.
They’ve also enlisted the support of local sport therapist Katie Ditchman, herself an ex-Castle Manor student, who will be on hand to help with recovery after the big ride.
Team leader for PE, Andy Barratt, first suggested the ride and has been leading efforts to get the group in shape and prepared.
He said: “So far the challenge has been a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and really start extending our training preparation. We could not have done this without the kind support and words of encouragement from the local businesses we have been working with.
"For the staff and students the added awareness of why we are doing the ride and then being able to donate to such good causes, just makes the early and very cold training rides that bit easier.”
If you’d like to sponsor the group or any of the riders individually please contact Jason André on JAndre@castlepartnership.org.uk or ring 07899 806 693.
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