At 6am on Saturday 16th April, a group of predominantly middle-aged unfit cricketers set off from Walsden Cricket Club with the aim to cycle to all 24 Pennine Cricket League grounds. Thirteen and a half hours later the group consisting of Ben Tunnicliffe, Danny Hesford, Ryan McGrath, Adam Smalley, Rick Leigh, Neil Holt & Danny Poole arrived cold, tired but safely at Well-i-Hole.

Here are a few snippets from the day...

First of all, it was freezing in Walsden.

Adam Smalley is possibly the unluckiest cyclist on the planet with 2 punctures before we had even reached Littleborough. Thanks to Halfords in Rochdale for fixing his wheel free of charge.

The long climb up to Denshaw from Milnrow was negotiated early on in glorious sunshine and everyone was suspiciously confident that the hardest part was behind us.

The Bacon butty and coffee at Howards in the layby near Austerlands was amazing. The muffin was even slightly toasted! We also have to thank Halfords again, this time, the Oldham branch as they repaired Ricks badly damaged rear wheel; again free of charge.

Heyside was the first “major” toilet stop. Apologies to Heyside Cricket Club.

The Royton to Middleton trip taught us that road bikes are not supposed to be ridden on dirt tracks or through 3 foot deep puddles. They particularly aren’t great in sand either. It was good to catch up with Holmsey at Middleton and the brews went down a treat.

The weather whilst on our side for much of the early miles was not kind to us for the majority of the trip. I think most people will agree the 7 mile journey from Monton to Hollinwood was particularly tough with freezing rain and hail in our faces for much of this stage. The cycle up a seriously steep hill in the same conditions to Werneth wasn't too clever either!

We did receive some rest bite as Glodwick to Ashton and then on to Stayley was fantastic with the sun on our backs; one of us even muttered: "At least the worst of the weather is behind us". That was optimistic.

After the climb from Stayley to Micklehurst, we were rewarded with fading light and then (just to finish everyone off) a blizzard which made the final 3 miles to Greenfield, Uppermill and then Saddleworth pretty testing; horrific would be another way to describe it!

3 of us fell off at some point. Danny first, then Neil and finally Adam.

Anyway, we all made it and after presenting both POINT and ABCD with the hard earned money it now feels worthwhile. The ideas are already coming in for next year’s challenge!

Please check out both www.pointoldham.co.uk and www.abcdiagnosis.co.uk to see who we were raising money for.

One final note. We need to thank everyone who supported us on the day including our wives and girlfriends for putting up with us for the weeks leading up to it; Brazey and Jona for driving the support van; Lyndsey and Sam for bringing pizza to Glodwick; The Leigh & Jones Families for cheering us on; Mike & Laura for bringing towels and beer into the changing rooms and even Barry Whitwam who shouted some words of “encouragement” from his house in Carrbrook!

The bottom line is everyone’s support was much appreciated!