Sleepless in the saddle

IN A GOOD CAUSE. . . Charity cyclists (from left) Martin Urmston, David Pitchforth, Carl Peach and David Borodinsky, preparing for the challenge

DAVID Pitchforth and his fellow physiotherapists were in need of some of their own treatment after a 24-hour 117-mile bike ride through treacherous conditions.

The intrepid foursome battled through quagmires, and hour after hour of rain in a race against more than 140 teams — to finish mud-spattered and shattered but triumphant, and nearly £500 better off in sponsorship.

The four undertook the Sleepless In The Saddle challenge at Catton Hall, in Cheshire, to raise money for the Victoria Breast Care Unit’s Link4Pink appeal at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

David and his physiotherapy colleagues from the Royal Oldham Hospital — Martin Urmston and Dave Borodinsky — and Carl Peach, a fellow health worker, are now recovering from the arduous cross-country ride.

And David said: “It was absolutely phenomenal.

“It was very wet and very muddy, and certainly harder than I thought it would be, but we all enjoyed it.”

The four spent the rainy morning of the race preparing their bikes and kit.

David recalled: “Over the next 24 hours we managed to complete 13 laps of the nine-mile circuit despite what turned out to be horribly wet, muddy conditions.

“With large parts of the track 6in deep in mud and unrideable, everybody’s times were higher than expected.”

The rain gave way to sun during the round-the-clock race, and the cyclists said they enjoyed their last laps — “even Dave Borodinsky, who lost his chain early on his night lap, soon after losing his main light”, said David

The rules state any rider starting a lap has to finish it before getting mechanical assistance, forcing Dave to push his bike with a small torch for the three hours it took to complete the circuit.

The unlucky rider discovered his chain buried deep in the mud plastering his bike when he was cleaning it off after the race.

The overnight mishap left the team finishing in 77th place, They dropped 27 places when their problems meant two of their 13 laps were not registered.

The gruelling challenge failed to put the four off, and they are already planning their entry into next year’s race.

The money they raised this year will boost the Victoria Breast Care Unit’s appeal to build a conservatory to relieve cramped conditions and create a better environment for women awaiting results.