Rural East Devon Bike Ride
18th September 2008
On a glorious late summers morning a group of intrepid Police officers and support staff embarked on a gruelling day-long cycle ride in an effort to raise a large sum of money for Dream-A-Way.
Dream-A-Way Chairman Jeff Merrett MBE (front row far left) and Press Officer Graham Burch (front row 3rd from left) with members of the team take a well-earned rest outside Axminster Police Station before setting off on the final leg of their journey.
The event was organised by Inspector Jim Gale, based at Honiton Police Station who said “The purpose of this event is two fold; to promote the neighbourhood policing team in east
Dream-A-Way Press Officer Graham Burch, a relative stranger to the joys of cycling, was ‘talked into’ accompanying Dream-A-Way Chairman Jeff Merrett MBE on the ride.
However, as the event approached Jeff decided he would be better served to act as ‘back up/drinks man’ and swapped his pedal cycle for a car, leaving Graham, and vice president Keith Portlock as the remaining DAW representatives.
Commencing (and finishing) at Honiton, and travelling primarily on unclassified ‘back roads’ the cyclists visited, in turn, Police stations at Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth, Seaton and Axminster. - A total distance of approximately 49 miles.
An excellent day was had by all, cycling across the magnificent east
Graham Burch, despite not being able to walk properly for a few days afterwards, was heard muttering that he had ‘enjoyed’ the day immensely and ‘looked forward’ to the event being held again in 2009!
Photo used with kind permission of the Express & Echo.