Pals saddle up for epic cycle ride
TERRY Butler is marking his retirement from the gift shop he owned for almost 30 years by undertaking a gruelling sporting challenge.
He is the rookie rider in a four-strong team cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End in June in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.
Terry and wife Beatrice finally closed the doors of their gift shop and jewellers, Sevens, in Chestergate for the last time on March 19.
Terry will now be using much of his spare time training with pals Nick Stanley, Sam Baker and Steve Leonard for their two-week journey.
They aim to raise an ambitious £7,777 in honour of the name of the shop and will not have a support vehicle, carrying spare parts themselves and staying in B&Bs en route.
Nick, who owns Park Lane Working Jewellers, explained: “Sam did the Land’s End to John O’Groats ride a couple of years ago and now wants to do it the other way round which is usually tougher because of the wind direction.
“Sam, Steve and I have cycled from London to Paris before and are experienced riders, whereas Terry only took up cycling three or four months ago.
“It’s going to be tough, though I’m sure the impetus of raising money for the hospice will keep us going.
“The most direct route is about 900 miles but we’ll cover about 1,200 because we want to make a few slight detours to visit landmarks and want to make it fun not torture.”
Sam owns Olympus Trophies in Duke Street, while Steve is an IT manager with a firm of Manchester solicitors.
To sponsor them go to justgiving.com/4bikes4riders-4ECH.
Their ride is part of the Challenge Series of fundraising initiatives for East Cheshire Hospice.