What started as a casual conversation between colleagues on their coffee break at our Preston site has turned into a pretty serious cycling crew with a charity bike ride weekend now organised as well!

The group, consisting of Wayne Potter, Mick Walsh, Martin Thompson and Phil Flanagan, take various routes including the New Longridge Loop, Cromwell Bridge in Hurst Green, and around the Guild Wheel and this regular cycling group enjoys the time to catch-up, unwind and stay active outside of work.

It is these routes which will form part of their charity bike ride weekend which they are inviting colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends to join them on – all to raise money for local charity Jade’s Bag.

Wayne commented, ‘We started this in February 2025 and since then it has had a very positive effect on me. This is the longest time I have gone without a cigarette in 40 years and just feel generally healthier. I also feel as if I’ve got more headspace than I did before; some of the best bike rides are when there are only two of you as this gives time to chat about anything you want. The amount of laughter generated on these bike rides is unbelievable. This is without doubt the best thing I have personally done for myself in the last 30 years and its great to be making some new memories.

“Whilst we have faced a series of unwelcome challenges from all angles including 40 mph wind, sabotaging squirrels and unmarked police cars, we’re a friendly inclusive bunch and it would be great to have others join the group or join us on our charity bike ride weekend.”

The routes are The Guild Wheel on Saturday 23^rd August, a 34km circuit with 185m elevation whilst on Sunday 24^th the route is The Longridge Loop, a 78km circuit with 1100m elevation.

Anyone who wishes to join in any way should contact Wayne.Potter@board24.co.uk for more information.

All donations would be very much appreciated, and this can be done by visiting their Go Fund Me page – https://www.gofundme.com/f/jades-bag-charity?attribution_id=sl:8156d697-fe38-473a-ac72-b88fbf613c27&lang=en_GB&ts=1748948794&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_c-amp14_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_c