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The Ultimate Bell and Bike Challenge 10th August 2006

Photo of cyclists

The Cycling ringers, from left to right: Ian Till, Richard Till, Lilja Helgadottir, Sue Faull & Rae Todd.

The aim of the day was to ring a quarter peal in each of the 6 branches of the Lincoln Guild, cycling in-between the towers, raising money for the Guild's publicity and recruitment project. The main team of three was made up of Ian Till, Richard Till and Lilja Helgadottir, with others making up the support team and taking part in various sections of the challenge throughout the day.

After an early wake-up call and a hearty breakfast, the first quarter of the day started at 6.45, Bob Minor on handbells in Messingham (West Lindsey Branch). The quarter completed, the cycling began. The first leg of 20 miles was completed in 1hr 17mins, and a quick quarter of Cambridge Surprise Minor at Middle Rasen (Northern Branch) meant we were already half an hour ahead of the day�s timetable. The next leg of the bike ride saw two new additions, Rae Todd and Sue Faull.

Still feeling fresh, the 8.84 miles to Wragby (Central Branch) felt easy. The third quarter of Single Oxford and Plain Bob completed we were even further ahead of schedule which allowed us to take advantage of the refreshments provided for us. The next 20.14 miles were still pleasant and a picnic stop half way in Stixwould on a grass verge made it all very enjoyable, although perhaps not for Rae who had the only fall of the day in full view of the support team. Unscathed and refuelled we carried on to the fourth quarter of the day, Cambridge Surprise Minor at Coningsby (Eastern Branch).

The next leg was not so pleasant; the wind which had been a helpful tail wind all day became a headwind as our direction changed. Sue had obviously worked this one out as she chose to use the support vehicles for the hard stretch, rejoining us when the wind was behind again.

23 miles later we arrived at Horbling (Southern Branch) still an hour ahead of time, and feeling very optimistic. The next quarter of Single Oxford and Plain Bob over, the end was in sight. The shortest ride to Bicker (Elloe Deaneries), a mere 8 miles allowed for a sprint finish, which would have been a lot easier if we could see the Church and then find the gate!! But we had made it, ahead of time giving us time to order our food in the local pub ready for after the final quarter. No beer was allowed as we wanted everyone on top form for the final hurdle. As it was, the quarter of Yorkshire Surprise Major was achieved with no problems.

After 80.19 miles of cycling 6 quarter peals and nearly 14 hours later we were well and truly ready for a feast and we were given an excellent one at The Swan, where the kind Landlords even sponsored us!! Late in the evening the bikes were piled into the carpet van which had followed us all day. The long car journey home showed us just how big our Guild is and how far we had cycled. We would like to say a massive thank you to our amazing support team: John, Joy, Julie and Rebecca who had everything ready for us at each tower before our arrival, took photos and kept morale high all day. Fortunately no bike repairs were needed but we couldn't have done it without them.

Thanks to everyone involved, for all the refreshments provided at the towers, and to all our sponsors. We hoped to have raised around £500. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and cycled further than we ever expected (Ian said it would be about 65 miles when he first suggested the idea. As if!)

Messingham, N. Lincs, Thistle Down, 10 Aug, 1260 PB Minor: Lilja Helgadottir 1-2, Richard Till 3-4, Ian Till (C) 5-6

Middle Rasen, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1320 Cambridge S Minor: Joy Till 1, Lilja Helgadottir 2, Richard Till (C) 3, Sue Faull 4, John Underwood 5, Ian Till 6

Wragby, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1260 PB and Single Oxford Minor, Lilja Helgadottir 1, Rae Todd 2, Sue Faull 3, Richard Till 4, John Underwood 5, Ian Till (C) 6

Coningsby, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1296 Cambridge S Minor, Joy Till 1, Margaret Parker 2, Lilja Helgadottir 3, John Underwood 4, Richard Till (C) 5, Ian Till 6

Horbling, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1260 PB and Single Oxford Minor, Rae Todd 1, Lilja Helgadottir 2, Sue Faull 3, Richard Till 4, John Underwood 5, Ian Till (C) 6

Bicker, Lincs, 10 Aug, 1250 Yorkshire S Major, Joan Payne 1, Lilja Helgadottir 2, Sue Faull 3, Jim Benner 4, Alan Payne 5, John Underwood 6, Richard Till (C) 7, Ian Till 8