Latest News from the Tour des Wheelwrights
Tour Des Wheelwrights – Day Twelve
He’s done it !! After 550+ miles Graham Ellis has made it to Douglas Andrews workshop in Heathfield. A small celebration was held to welcome him with some well earned beer and delicious food prepared by Marianne Mortlock . The Master, David Mortlock presented Graham...
Tour Des Wheelwrights – Day Eleven
Day 11 - Update from Graham: Almost there, The Master and I rode down to Battle together. An up and down but pleasant ride with a following wind before meeting the charming Wheelwright Richard Carey who bought us lunch after visiting his workshop. Richard made a...
Tour Des Wheelwrights – Day Ten
Day 10 Update from Graham: Hi All, who thought Kent was flat ? It isn't, I Cycled from Gravesend over the North Downs to David and Mariannes lovely home near Ashford. I've now completed 515 miles with about another 45 to go ending up in Heathfield on Friday with...
Tour Des Wheelwrights – Day Nine
Day 9 - Update from Graham - Hi All made it south of the River this evening to Gravesend. Not the most picturesque of routes especially towards the end but it started well with a visit to the Bike Shop for some running repairs which was directly opposite where I was...
Tour Des Wheelwrights – Day Eight
Day 8 - Graham met up with Mike Steel and his family in Saxmundham. He had a very interesting tour with Mike including some delicious carrot cake made by his wife Clare. Mikes Father in law Gus Kitson a very experienced wheelwright was also there to chat with....
Tour Des Wheelwrights – Day Seven
Day 7 - Sunday Graham had a bit of a wet day today. However he made it to Saxmundham and is ready to meet Wheelwright Mike Steel on Monday morning. 360 miles done and starting to dream of the finish in Sussex !To support the Tour and Dogs For Good, please make a...
To support the Tour and Dogs For Good, please make a donation via JustGiving at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/TourdesWheelwrights
Freeman Graham Ellis’ Two-wheeled Challenge
Graham’s inspired idea is to cycle a 500-mile route during August; linking working wheelwrights across the country so as to raise money for charity.
Starting in Northumberland, the route takes in four other wheelwrights workshops before ending at Heathfield in Sussex… hence the name: the “Tour des Wheelwrights”.
The Route
Monday 16th August – Start from Peter Thompson, WARKWORTH
Thursday 19th August- Arrive Peter Small, LINCOLN
Sunday 22nd August – Arrive Mike Steel, SAXMUNDHAM
Wednesday 25th August – Croford Coachbuilders, ASHFORD
Thursday 26th August – Arrive Richard Carey, BATTLE
Friday 27th August – Finish at Douglas Andrews, HEATHFIELD
“Ziva has absolutely changed my life. She’s brought me a sense of comfort, and
independence that I’d never had before. Choosing to sponsor Graham would enable Dogs for Good
to give someone else the amazing, life-changing gift of a partnership with an Assistance Dog.”
To see more about the difference that assistance dogs can make, have a look at this
wonderful short video of Scooby and Grace and the Dogs for Good website.
How can you help?
There are a number of ways in which you can support this year’s major fundraiser, with
levels of effort and cost to suit everyone:
- Make a donation at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/TourdesWheelwrights
- Corporate supporters can have their logos on the tour T-shirts. We are looking for support for the costs of the welcome reception in Sussex on 27th August. Please email sally.bridgeland@icloud.com if this is of interest.
- Get on your bike to join Graham for part of the route – the Master plans to see him off in Northumberland on 16th August and pedal the final leg in Sussex on 27th August.
- Join the Tour des Wheelwrights WhatsApp group, as this will be the best way to ask for information and find out more about the detailed plans.
- Provide refreshments or lodgings for Graham along the way – the route takes in wheelwrights in Lincoln and Saxmundham and Graham is hoping to ride 50 miles a day. By supporting Graham and reducing his costs he’s offered to donate them to the charity. Do make any offers to Graham at graham@geaonline.co.uk
- Set your own fundraising target, especially if you plan to cycle part of the route. You can create your own fundraising page on JustGiving, linking through to the Tour des Wheelwrights event to automatically add to our grand total.
- Follow our Facebook page and use this to spread the word to increase the funds which we raise https://www.facebook.com/WorshipfulCompanyofWheelwrights
More details about the T-shirts and welcome reception in Sussex on 27th August will follow… Until then, thank you for your support!