Outlook is Foggy and Grey for David’s charity ride!

Tanni Grey-Thompson and Carl Fogarty are both supporting David, whose efforts will raise money for the Lake District Calvert Trust – a residential centre for disabled people which provides adventure activities such as inclusive cycling, a cause close to Cycling UK’s heart.

Baroness Grey-Thompson, one of Britain’s greatest Paralympians, and ‘Foggy’, the undisputed king of World Superbike racing and a keen mountain biker, have both said they will retweet David’s ride reports.

The fund-raiser will cycle a circuit taking in three Calvert Trust Centres – at Keswick, on Exmoor and in the Kielder Forest – and he would warmly welcome any disabled cyclists and Cycling UK members who would like to meet up or ride with him during his 17-day journey.

David will set off from the Keswick Centre, where he has worked as a volunteer for two years, on 7 May. Camping each night, and riding a Pinnacle Arkose 4, the 54-year-old will finish back in the Lake District on 23 May.

He said: “Over 4,000 people visit the centre each year and, during the two years I have volunteered, I have helped groups of children with autism and severe learning difficulties and adults with spinal cord injuries and spina bifida/hydrocephalus.

“One of the activities they run is cycling and they have a fleet of heavily-used TMX bikes and handcycles. My role is to assist the instructors delivering the activities and to do my utmost to ensure all the participants have the best possible experience. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness their enjoyment and growing confidence during their visit."

I’m keen to publicise the ride so that Cycling UK members and any cyclists with a disability, who might be members themselves, can meet me along the route or ride sections of it with me.

David Davenport,
charity cyclist and volunteer

David, who lives in Whalley, near Clitheroe in Lancashire, joined Cycling UK – then CTC – in 2003.

He said: “It is because of the benefits that Cycling UK membership brings that I have chosen this type of challenge to raise money. Also, thanks to my membership, I know I can complete the ride, and enjoy it – even though non-cyclists I’ve spoken to think I’m being ridiculous!

“I’m keen to publicise the ride so that Cycling UK members and any cyclists with a disability, who might be members themselves, can meet me along the route or ride sections of it with me. This aspect of my ride would bring people together in the name of Cycling UK and give them the chance to do something slightly different.”

David’s itinerary

7 May: Keswick to Sedbergh (Cumbria), via Penrith, Shap and Tebay (start from Lake District Centre at 10.30am).
8 May: Sedbergh to Whalley near Clitheroe (Lancs), via High Bentham and Settle. 
9 May: Whalley to Delamere near Northwich (Cheshire), via Chorley and Widnes. 
10 May: Delamere to Wentnor (Shropshire), via Shrewsbury.
11 May: Wentnor to Monmouth, via Hereford.
12 May: Monmouth to Cheddar (Somerset), via Chepstow.
13 May: Cheddar to Lynton (Devon), via Bridgwater and Minehead.
14 May: Lynton to Taunton (Somerset) via Withypool and Bishops Lydeard (visit Exmoor Centre at 11.30am).
15 May: Taunton to Chipping Sodbury (Gloucs), via Wells and Keynsham.
16 May: Chipping Sodbury to Stow-on-the-Wold (Gloucs), Malmesbury.
17 May: Stow-on-the-Wold to Market Bosworth (Leics), Atherstone.
18 May: Market Bosworth to Mansfield (Notts), via Belper.
19 May: Mansfield to Selby (N Yorks), via Mexborough.
20 May: Selby to Richmond (N Yorks), via Bedale.
21 May: Richmond to Haydon Bridge (Northumbria), via Middleton-in-Teesdale.
22 May: Haydon Bridge to Newcastleton (Borders), via Bellingham (visit Kielder Centre at 2pm).
23 May: Newcastleton to Keswick, via Wetheral (arrive at Centre at 5pm).