Reg Charity No: 1008871

Friends of Hunsdon School

It’s all about schools.

 

When asked if I would participate in a sponsored bicycle ride for Hunsdon School, I agreed immediately. (OK I took a bit of persuading – all right a lot of persuading!)  “It will be from the Fox & Hounds (really excellent food actually!) to the Fox & Hounds” said Mr Taylor of the Steven variety. “I can cope with that”, I thought, before I realised that there would be 12 miles of cycling in-between.

 

Having dusted off a reasonably priced bicycle which had not seen the outside world in three years, I met up with the rest of the tour.  Mr Taylor, Phil Walker (the surname should have given him a clue), Ian Sharp, Stephen Redman, and Ian’s friend Jeff. We met at the Fox & Hounds at the appointed hour. It was noted by the rest of us that Steven Taylor and Phil Walker had very strange shoes that they couldn’t actually walk in but which, magically, became part of the bicycles they were riding as soon as they saddled up.

 

We set off, some of us being more confident than others of a safe return!

The first part was easy! Generally flat or downhill we cycled like the wind to Wareside. Then we had to go uphill. We slowly-and in my case breathlessly- passed wonderful scenery, beautiful buildings, startled wildlife and Phil Walker lying on his side, still attached to his bicycle, in a ditch! Apparently he had stopped to allow a car to pass but had forgotten to say the magic words to release his shoes from the bicycle. The driver of the car was obviously very concerned as she was crying whilst pointing at Mr Walker and asking if he would like her to get him some stabilisers. Mr Walker declined this offer.

 

When we had stopped laughing we set off again towards the ford at Much Hadham. The more sensible of the crew decided to cross the ford by the bridge; needless to say Ian, Stephen Redman and I decided that getting wet and slimy by going through the ford would at least make our mountain bikes look as though we had been using them recently. (It is worth noting for future reference that bicycles with no mudguards can drastically change the appearance of your trousers when viewed from behind.) Next there was a sharp right-hand bend (those that had not been through the ford could obviously brake and steer) and then it was flat out to climb a long steep hill. Steven Taylor, Phil & Jeff decided to tackle the hill slowly and steadily, Ian decided to cycle back and forth across the road and Stephen Redman and I decided this would be a good moment to take a walk and grab some not so fresh air. Having quickly passed Ian diligently going side to side he decided to join us in our constitutional walk. As we came over the crest of the hill we saw Steven Taylor, Phil & Jeff relaxing beside the road (Phil had obviously taken lessons from Steven as he was not still attached to his bicycle). Steven Taylor asked the three of us if we had got lost or if they had built a new pub on the hill since he had been there, before inspiring us to go for the final leg of our epic journey. This was pure joy and we at last returned to the Fox & Hounds where James and Bianca gave us some much needed refreshment. Jeff then cycled back to Harlow, but that was just showing off and Stephen Redman had to go to Ikea - which is a far harder task than the Tour de France.

 

The long and short of this story is we had a great morning out, we got to know each other better and we raised over £600 for the school! Thank you Mr Taylor for organising this & making sure that we had a great time; I will definitely be doing it again next year and hope that there will be a few more people to enjoy the trip with and to watch Phil falling over.

 

Dib

 

Where are they now?

 

Phil is now available for children’s parties and weddings – money well spent!

Ian is still cycling across roads but will hopefully progress to lengths by next year. Stephen Redman was last seen near the kitchen section in Ikea. Police are hopeful that he may find the exit by Christmas. Steven Taylor has now bought a bicycle without handlebars – should be fun for next year!

This event raised £600.00

Six Go Forth

6th June 2007