500 miles for 500 towns - Day Seven by Alan Morris

As we approach 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK, Fairtrade supporters are taking to their saddles for a 500 mile cycle relay from Aberfeldy to Cardiff. We're blogging about their journey that will conclude in Cardiff on Monday 1 November. Learn more about their route at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/500fairtradetowns

Chester to Bridgnorth 60 miles.


The Lord Mayor of Chester and a large group of supporters and well wishers waved us off as we were despatched from Chester by a Roman Soldier guard of honour to be welcomed some 7 hours and 60 windswept miles later by the Town Crier in Bridgnorth. (And not a puncture in sight!)

Despite cycling into a strong head wind for each of the 60 miles, our team of 7 cyclists made good time. The rain held off for our journey as we cycled through some beautiful countryside making our way out of Cheshire into Shropshire, carefully navigating away from some busy A roads and a motorway.

Battling against the wind gave us a sense of the uphill struggle we face in championing Fair Trade goods and on being reminded of this by one of our group, the challenge seemed even more worthwhile.

The very warm reception extended to us by our hosts in Bridgnorth including showers, evening meal and overnight accommodation was as welcome as it was warming after a long day in the saddle and will be remembered.

Sue/Karen/Heather/Paul/Tony/Alex/Alan.

500 miles for 500 towns - Day Six by Bruce Crowther

As we approach 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK, Fairtrade supporters are taking to their saddles for a 500 mile cycle relay from Aberfeldy to Cardiff. We're blogging about their journey that will conclude in Cardiff on Monday 1 November. Learn more about their route at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/500fairtradetowns

Pip of the Garstang Fairtrade Group and Phil, Chair of the Garstang cycling club were aided by another bright and dry day as they made their way through the industrial heartland of traditional Lancashire. Their 64 mile route took them through the Fairtrade Towns of Preston, Wigan and Warrington before making their way to the first Fairtrade City of Chester. Folk singers and the Mayor of Chester were there to welcome the cyclists into this historic Roman city. The ceremonial parchment was signed on the Town Hall steps before being handed over to Paul; one of the 10 cyclists to make the journey to Bridgnorth, the first Fairtrade Town in Shropshire on the following day.

500 Miles for 500 towns poem by Mickey Dee

View this poem with photos at Mickey Dee's website.

What can I say, in a positive way?
How can I sway you to come out and play,
On a lean, clean machine in a beautiful scene?
Who of you will dare to put wind in your hair,
Rain in your face and leave never a trace,
Of having ever been there.
When it's all said and done, what makes cycling fun?
Is it better in winter, or in the hot sun?
Do you like it warm wherever you go?
Or when your tires go "crunch" in the snow?
Do you like racing with crowds that cheer?
Or touring along with with a bird's song in your ear?
I can ride for hours by beautiful flowers.
Mile after mile with bugs in my smile.
I find rolling hills to be so sublime,
And even the hardest, mountainous climb!
Can you tell me why my heart pines,
For quiet country roads with Burma Shave signs?
Sometimes I get thrills from "screaming down-hills",
Or a fog covered road laced with daffodils.
It's easy to see what it all means to me.
I've seen places and faces as fine as can be.
Often at night with stars so bright,
I ride with my love in the pale moonlight.
Past farms with cows and stacks of hay.
Crickets and frogs cheer us on our way.
We ride in the mornings and then at sunsets
And know that this is as good as it gets.
Not even flat tires can alter our mood.
When I'm tired I dine on the best tasting food.
What can I do to get through to you?
Why should you ride? I haven't a clue.
Sometimes after long rides in groups we might sit,
And all will agree, "IT FEELS SO GOOD WHEN WE QUIT."

500 miles for 500 towns - Day Five by Bruce Crowther

As we approach 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK, Fairtrade supporters are taking to their saddles for a 500 mile cycle relay from Aberfeldy to Cardiff. We're blogging about their journey that will conclude in Cardiff on Monday 1 November. Learn more about their route at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/500fairtradetowns

Today was a tale of two Mayors. The mayor of Kendal saw the cyclists off in Kendal and the Mayor of Garstang, together with the Town Crier welcomed Paul, Mark and Peter into the world’s first Fairtrade Town. On arrival they signed the ceremonial parchment over a Lancashire hot pot supper prepared by Fairtrade supporter and the owner of the Coffee Pot café Avis Jones. Appropriately today’s celebration took place on the very site in the old Discovery Centre in Garstang where Harriet Lamb, Director of the Fairtrade Foundation presented the first Fairtrade Town certificate to Garstang’s  Mayor in November 2001 and comedy actor Tony Robinson unveiled the ceremonial plaque. This is also the starting point for the new ‘Fairtrade Way’ 80 mile walk from Garstang to Keswick; the route taken by the cyclists for the last 12 miles of the leg from Lancaster. Again we were blessed with good weather, ideal for Rob and Roger from the BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ Team to film the cyclists leaving Kendal, arriving in Garstang and going over the Millennium Bridge at the quayside in Lancaster.

500 miles for 500 towns - Day Four by Bruce Crowther

 As we approach 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK, Fairtrade supporters are taking to their saddles for a 500 mile cycle relay from Aberfeldy to Cardiff. We're blogging about their journey that will conclude in Cardiff on Monday 1 November. Learn more about their route at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/500fairtradetowns

Brampton campaigners and the Cumberland News were there to send off Chris, Pete and Steve from the Moot Hall on the first wet and windy day of the 500 mile celebratory journey. The inclement weather and the far too many abundant hills did not deter the committed and dedicated heroes who were fuelled with Fairtrade chocolate and flapjacks.  “I hate it when I have to pedal downhill against a headwind but thanks to the constant supply of Fairtrade chocolate we keep on going” said the cyclist and Fairtrade supporter Pete Lloyd. The cyclists enjoyed lunch at the Village Bakery at Melmerby where Fairtrade tea and coffee are served and Fairtrade Xmas puddings are on sale. They then continued on their arduous quest. Unfortunately conditions only got worse as the Southerly wind blew stronger, the rain fell harder and fog and darkness closed in. The cyclists finally arrived in Kendal just before 7pm where they were treated to a wonderful meal by Janet and Paul and met with many Fairtrade colleagues from the Kendal campaign.

500 miles for 500 towns - Day Three by Bruce Crowther

 As we approach 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK, Fairtrade supporters are taking to their saddles for a 500 mile cycle relay from Aberfeldy to Cardiff. We're blogging about their journey that will conclude in Cardiff on Monday 1 November. Learn more about their route at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/500fairtradetowns

All the children from Dunscore Primary school turned out on another cold, clear morning to see off the six cyclists (Alison, Matt, Cath, Richard, Sarah and Jack) travelling to Brampton on Day 3 of the 500 mile relay. Stop offs were made to inspire existing and potential Fairtrade Town campaigns on route. Armed with Geobars, Fairbreak biscuits and Fairtrade juices Rolf and his colleagues met the cyclists at the Midsteeple in Dumfries to help boost the campaign to make it a Fairtrade City. Jim and Joan met the riders for lunch and Fairtrade coffee in the Lounge café in Annan. Hopefully they were left inspired to help launch their own Fairtrade Town campaign that would further support the move to make Dumfries and Galloway a Fairtrade County. Lorna Strong and her team from the One World shop in the Fairtrade City of Carlisle fed the cyclists with delicious Fairtrade chocolate cake, flapjacks and bananas to help them on their way. In Carlisle Helen Hinvest joined the ride for the last 15 miles to Brampton Community Centre where a warm welcome and yet more Fairtrade goodies awaited them. 

500 miles for 500 towns by Bruce Crowther

As we approach 500 Fairtrade Towns in the UK, Fairtrade supporters are taking to their saddles for a 500 mile cycle relay from Aberfeldy to Cardiff. We'll be blogging about their journey that will conclude in Cardiff on Monday 1 November. Learn more about their route at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/500fairtradetowns

Day 1 Aberfeldy – Strathaven (107 miles)
They’re off! Seven courageous cyclists set off from Aberfeldy to Strathaven on the first leg of the 500 mile bicycle relay to celebrate 500 Fairtrade Towns. This was by far the longest and most enduring leg, albeit through a beautiful Scottish landscape. To the sound of bagpipes the cyclists left Aberfeldy Town Hall at 9am and arrived in Strathaven just after 6pm. Congratulations to all involved but especially the three ‘Hairy Bikers’ (Franny, Bob and John) who cycled the whole distance. Congratulations also go to John Swinney MSP and his wife who gave birth to their baby boy the day before, on National Nut Day as it happens but perhaps best not mentioned? The new arrival that prevented John from taking to his bike was actually not due until November 1st; the proposed date of the 500th Fairtrade Town declaration.






Day 2  Strathaven - Dunscore (57 miles)
A cold and frosty morning saw the cyclists off at Strathaven, which meant another dry and still day ahead, ideal for cycling. Former world cycling champion Graeme O’Bree handed over the parchment to the lead cyclist for the day Guto Williams, watched by local politicians Linda Fabiani MSP (one of the first people to show an interest in adopting the Fairtrade Town ideal soon after the people of Garstang self declared in 2000) and Michael McCann MP. The cyclists rode into Dunscore to a rapturous welcome and a pasta meal prepared by local campaigners. As well as handing over the parchment the cyclists also delivered some homemade cake as a gift from the campaigners in Strathaven to their Scottish colleagues in Dunscore. The last night before crossing the English border ended in true Scottish fashion with a Ceilidh that went on into the night.