Heroic firefighters gear up for the ride of a lifetime

Oldham firefighters are geared up for their biggest challenge yet

The ride of a lifetime is about to begin this weekend as a team of Oldham firefighters take on their biggest challenge yet.

The team will be cycling a phenomenal 1,600 miles from Oldham to Gibraltar to raise money for four amazing charities.

The team includes Watch Manager Philip Courtnell, firefighter Christopher Dean, firefighter Mark Canning, retired firefighter Colin Davies, Crew Manager Tony Cuschera, firefighter Ian Hall, Watch Manager Christopher Hanson, Watch Manager Greg Punshon and firefighter Lee Cropper (support vehicle).

The ride will take the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service team through England, France and Spain to finally surface at the Queen’s Balcony on the Rock of Gibraltar where they will be welcomed by family, friends, local dignitaries and the Gibraltar Fire Service.

‘The 100 Year Ride’ that the firefighters will be taking part in is to mark the close of the Great War and noting the 100th Anniversary of The Fire Brigades Union.

The team will also pause to pay their respects in Le Havre to members of the ‘Oldham Pals’ movement who lay there.

With an average of 115 miles cycled a day, and one exhausting 145 mile day, the firefighters will be tested to the limit climbing a heart-stopping total of 100,000 feet, crossing the Pyrenees and riding through the scorching hinterlands of Spain in the height of summer.

As well as paying homage at Le Havre, there will be a brief pause in Madrid as the team are welcomed with a reception at the British Embassy.

The Ambassador will then cycle a short way with them as they depart the next morning.

Self-funded and riding for the Fire Fighters Charity, MIND, Cyclists Fighting Cancer and SANDS, they hope to raise as much money as possible to add to the £60k previous challenges have totalled.   

Ahead of their departure on Saturday (July 14), the firefighters would love to hear from anybody who has relatives or friends from the Oldham Pals buried in Le Havre so they can ensure they pause at their grave. 

Follow @The100YearRide on Twitter for regular updates towards their biggest ride yet.

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