The 4th Great Milk Stout Ride – Sunday 17 September 2006

Trailblazers again organised the 4th Great Milk Stout Ride in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at Hamsterley Forest on Sunday 17th September 2006. After the early morning mist cleared, the sun shone to make it a fantastic day for all that took part.

Local hero ‘Daredevil’ George Hodgson, 83 year old cancer survivor, parachute jumper and wing walker started the event in which more than 100 people took part, with many more looking on.

There was a choice of an easy 6 mile blue ride, more technical 14 mile red ride or a hard 25 mile black route plus a short and a long walk. Many routes passed through parts of the Forest people do not normally see with some great Singletrack sections. It was particularly encouraging to see so many families with children joining in. The afternoon finished with the Mountain Bike Display Team putting on an incredible show of skill and daring.

Trophies are awarded to the person and team raising the most sponsorship – last year Trailblazer member, Peter Watson, won the single person trophy and is out to beat his record this year having raised £930 by the morning of the Ride.

Team Glenwood won the other trophy in 2005 for the third year on the run and hoped to do the same again this year, although they were up against some tough competition. We’ll let you know the final amount raised when all the money is in.

If you would like to sponsor one of the riders or make a donation, you can do so by downloading this sponsorship form :-

Early morning

The sun came out and the car park started to fill

Getting ready

‘Daredevil’ George Hodgson, 83 year old cancer survivor, parachute jumper, wing walker and starter of the 4th Great Milk Stout Ride

We had a great family turn out with some really young riders taking part

The dog also enjoyed a good walk

One of the families enjoying the ride

Crossing the Ford

Singletrack across the moors

The views were great as well as the singletrack

Getting technical

Some good forest singletrack

It didn’t matter if you got off to push

This young man did the whole 14 mile Red Route

Mountain Bike Display Team in action