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Home | Club News | Up Hill & Down Dale on Mountain Bikes

Some 142 riders, men, women and children pumped up there tyres, adjusted brakes and set off from the Greetland Community Centre on the 15th last for a ride up hill, down dale, across and along bridleways and on roads in an enjoyable mornings activity.

The weather was kind yet again this year with a blue sky and cool conditions for the Rotary Club of Halifax’s “Rotaride 2012 Event”.  The areas of Calderdale covered included Greetland, Scamonden and Outlane and the backcloth was the great Yorkshire Moors.
Two courses were made available to riders. A longer route of some 20 miles and a shorter 10 miles had to be selected at onset. On the day only eight persons elected for the short route. Stewards manned the routes at suitable points to ensure proper health and safety considerations applied and also stations provided water and snacks that had been kindly donated.
 Whilst those who seemed ‘super-fit’ sped round the course in about an hour and a half, others took a more ‘leisurely approach’ returning within a  three hour mark. One rider though came in last after a long 3hours 50 minutes, but still with a smile on his face. No one dared ask if he had been lost! All received an embossed baseball cap in recognition of their achievement.
As it was, after all, a fundraiser for Rotary charities, the organiser Rotarian Wilson Simms was pleased to announce that a net contribution of £1,700 was raised for good causes.
The shortest time recorded was by a Paul Bridgewater in 1 hour 27 minutes with Ben Cooper less than a minute behind him. All times for the individuals went on a link to the Halifax Club website within two days. Thanks are extended to all Rotarians and other helpers on the day that assisted in its great success. Next year’s date is already being considered as ‘enthusiasts’ in this sport plan well ahead themselves!