Registrations for this record breaking annual event are running well ahead of last year and coming in thick and fast. The newly created website has so far enrolled over 50 riders, including two of last year’s teams Carly’s Angels led from Harrogate, but with members from all over West Yorkshire, including Keighley, Bingley, Oakworth; plus Team Simon led from Batley, with members from as far away as Matlock (Derbyshire), Bedale, Darlington, Dronfield and Glasshouses.
The eighteen strong Carly’s Angels led by Carly Illingworth, won last year’s Team Trophy with a total raised of £1850 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The 16 members of Team Simon, led by Peter Brackley, of Batley and his father David of Glasshouses, who is one of only two people to have completed every ride since the first in 1993.
We even have two riders entered from London and, because of increased publicity, are looking forward to welcoming riders from all parts of the UK. Last year we handed over £42,000 to Macmillan and expect to beat that again this year.
The 2008 16th
Great Milk (stout) Ride starts from the Nidderdale Agricultural Society’s show ground, Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire on 7th September. Registration is from 8.30am and riders are scheduled to start at 10.00am.
There are two rides: the ten mile Half Litre, for families and children accompanied by adults leaving the show ground and up the high street, turning left after Wilsill, through Smelthouses, where there is a drinks stop, then over Brimham Rocks, through Fellbeck and back to finish at the show field.
The Full Monty, a twenty mile ride takes a more “scenic” route along the Low Wath road, turning through Wath village along the top road, back through Pateley Bridge, Wilsill, Low Laithe, Summerbridge, turning left up Stripe lane, pausing at the drinks stop in Hartwith, before passing through Brimham Rocks, en route back to the finishing line, where all riders will be presented with a signed certificate and commemorative medal, both sponsored again this year by Landale Carpets of Summerbridge. Entry is FREE the only requirement is that riders raise money from sponsors. There are trophies to be won by the highest fundraising individual, team, or pub team; as well as a trophy for the best fancy dress.
Music Festival
At 11.00 am, with the riders off, what is now a mini music festival will begin, with a selection of local groups and bands performing, supported by a barbecue, beer tent, face painting, trade stands, etc. The family fun continues until late afternoon.
Celebrity starters
Mike Tomlinson and his son Steven have agreed to get the riders off to a resounding start this year, before themselves leaping onto their bikes and enjoying the delights of Nidderdale. This will be the third time that the family has been associated with the Great Milk (stout) Ride: in 2004 Jane Tomlinson performed the starting duties. That year the Ride donated all of the £30,000 raised to the Macmillan segment of Jane’s Fund. The following year Mike, Jane and Steven returned to take part in what they described as “a grand family fun day out”, when Steven was invited to press the starting horn for both rides.
Help wanted
Anyone who can spare some time to help out will be more than welcome; there are vacancies with marshalling, car parking, site erection (Saturday 6th), catering, and registration. Please ring 01423-780389, or email
bartoncliff@btopenworld.comTo register and download your paperwork on-line, or donate visit the website at
http://www.gmsr.co.uk/. To request a FREE rider pack simply ‘phone 01423-711699 and leave your name, address, telephone number etc.
Despite mixed weather, with steady rain most of Saturday 21st and gale force winds on Sunday 22nd of June, Sheila Hopkinson (pictured above left) and yours truly had a great time meeting and talking to loads of visitors to this annual show held on York's ancient Knavesmire Racecourse. 
