Presentation Night 12th November 2010

The annual Presentation Night, when Macmillan Cancer Support find out just how much this year's Great Milk (stout) Ride will be handing over to them will take place at Ye Olde Oak Inn, Low Laithe, starting at 7pm.

First the trophies for the individuals and teams who have raised the most sponsorship monies will be presented by the Macmillan representative, while landlady, Debbie Marshall, will be sponsoring the £2 pie and pea suppers, with all the proceeds going to swell the Macmillan coffers.

The "bottle-on-the-bar" will be emptied and the contents added to the total. There will also be a tombola and Grand Raffle draw.

Any riders or teams who have not been able to get their sponsorship monies to treasurer Bob Drake at Tranby Croft, Glasshouse, HG3 5QY before can turn up on the night and hand over their cash.

Why not come along and bring your friends for a good night out and be the first to know how much we have achieved this year?

There is always an exiting sense of anticipation to make the evening well worth the effort.

18th Great Milk (stout) Ride

The sun shone yet again for the 18^th annual Great Milk (stout) Ride last Sunday 5^th September. This year saw the introduction of an additional route to the 20 mile Full Monty and the 10 mile Half Litre rides. In response to many requests from the fitter and more serious members of cycling fraternity, the organising committee had introduced a five mile loop calling it the X-treme25. This extra challenge was taken up by over 60 riders, who unanimously voted it a huge success. A total of 432 riders took part in the whole charity bike ride, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The first riders were sent on their way by Barbara Woodhouse of Glasshouses, widow of John in whose memory the Great Milk (stout) Ride has been held since 1993. Last year’s event brought the total of £400,000 donated to Macmillan and it is hoped that a significant amount will be realised again this year. The cut off date for donations and sponsorship monies is Friday 12^th November, when winning fundraisers will receive their trophies and the final cheque will be handed over at Presentation Night at Ye Olde Oak Inn, Low Laithe, starting 8.00pm. Donations can be sent to the treasurer at Tranby Croft, Glasshouses, HG3 5QY cheques payable to GMsR. To enable Macmillan to collect a further 28p in the pound via Gift Aid, donors should indicate their wish and supply their address.

There were over 40 teams entered including new entrants Woodhouse Wanderers from Winksley, Harrogate’s Team VIRR, Dacre Son & Hartley’s Ilkley Team Simon, Harrogate medal sponsors Erudine, Leeds’ Dirty Wheels, Pateley Club and the Crown at Middlesmoor

Although the committee stresses “it’s a Ride NOT a Race” the first riders reappeared at the finishing line in just on the hour, to collect their certificates and medals and a welcome bottle of water, kindly sponsored respectively by Harrogate computer software company Erudine and Yorkshire Water.

Oldest rider in the events was Eric Stoyles 83 years old and completed the 20 mile ride in two hours. He lives at the top on one of the steepest hills in the Dale, being Old Church Lane, Pateley Bridge and does regular rides to Masham over the moors. He told us he thoroughly enjoyed today's event and rode part of the route alongside the Pink Fairy!! He and his wife Hazel are very proud of his achievement.

Local musicians Ade Payne, The Pete Oliver Band with vocalist Sharon Colgan and The Hall Brothers with Sarah Carey again entertained the riders and their supporters from the stage in the beer tent.

Throughout the day Margaret Bickers and her team of helpers were kept busy serving a variety of barbecued items including locally supplied burgers, sausages, bacon, with various drinks.

James Wilson from Fresh Radio for the Dales was on hand again to provide continuity and live interviews throughout the day. Fresh Radio is one of our media sponsors. The committee would like to express their thanks again to their other sponsors: Erudine, Cartridge World, Deakin Accountancy Ltd., Yorkshire Water, Houseman International, Branch Auto Bodies (Ilkley), EW Smith & Co., QPS Group, AMPS News Ltd., The Cheridan Raithby Charitable Trust and Birchfield Ice Cream Ltd and Stif Bikes of Summerbridge.

Pictures

Woodhouse Wanderers team before the start.

Committee members (l to r) Luke Bickers, Ian Deakin, Cliff Barton, Bob Drake, Mike Holt, dishing out medals and certificates to finishing riders.

Barbara Woodhouse is ready to sound the hooter for the start of the 18th Great Milk (stout) Ride.