Team David Allen - Cycling for a good cause

Several months ago a group of us decided that we were ready for a new fitness challenge - when we heard about the Jennings River Ride we thought this was just up our street.

Entrance fees are in support of The Cumbria Community Foundation, a local charity that exists to tackle poverty and improve the quality of life for the people of Cumbria. In addition to this we also decided to raise money for The Great North Air Ambulance - a service that is invaluable in the Lake District and surrounding area.

Following the unsettled weather earlier in the week we were relieved to find perfect cycling weather and after many months of training we set off from Keswick... little did we know what we had let ourselves in for!

Our incredibly fit trio (Leanne, Sam and Ben) set off on their epic 145km ride, aptly named 'The Big day Out'. From Keswick to Workington and back, then up and over Newlands and Honister Pass; a ride definitely not for the feint hearted! Feeling more like mountain goats than accountants, they did brilliantly - Sam completed the ride in only 5 hours and 5 minutes.

Seven of us, set off on the 57km ride whist three more colleagues took part in the 1

5km family ride. In between the drama of a punctured tyre and a couple of tumbles we all battled the hills and made it to the end.

We would like to thank The Cumbria Community Foundation and volunteers - they did an excellent job.

Today, we all have a few aches and pains, but we are really proud of ourselves and are looking forward to taking up t

he challenge again next year.

So far we have raised £315.00 for The Great North Air Ambulance. If you would like to donate you can still do so by visiting our JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/Team-davidallen

Julie Walsh