Day 1.

 

The 2024 Burton Bash set off as ever with great optimism and a joyous sense of glee from the usual starting point at the gates of Warwick Castle. The riders performed their usual stretches and warmups and at bang on 9am they set off to embark on the adventure of Day 1 of the BurtonBash24. 

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Up the high street of Warwick up into Norton Lindsey and before they knew it, they were at the first rest point of Westall Burial ground. Here we met the evergreen Simon Bird, Johno & Joe, who joined in the Bash for as long as they could – which was just brilliant.  5 miles away from the pit stop was their first real challenge though.

The ford!!

 

Previous cyclist can confirm how tricky this slippery obstacle is, so we were keen to see how they would tackle this. 95% of the cyclists chose the option of the nettle riddled side path but we are pleased to say the pairing of Tricky and Emily took on the challenge and sailed through with consummate ease. This was no mean feat this year especially when you consider the amount of rain in the previous days. The water was whooshing along at a great pace!! Chapeau! 

 

From here, the team had a shorter ride to the Holt Fleet for the short break and the customary Guinness. Replenished and full of Haribo and bananas the crazy bunch having navigated through Warwickshire and most of Worcestershire, started on their attack into Shropshire. Immediately hindered by The Bell at Pentax re-opening, a quick fuelling stop there saw the team ready for the hills and the always long slog up out of Cleobury Mortimer. But what goes up must come down and the descent into Hopton Wafers was upon the team before they knew it. A descent that tests the brakes and forearms…….but then it came. The hill.  The hill at the bottom of Hopton Wafers! A grueller. A real challenge for the guys. Miles 56-58 is all up hill and saps the energy out of the team. Once the first bit is out of the way it’s then merges into Clee Hill.

 

The toughest part of the ride. 

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The team nailed this. Simply brilliant determination by the guys to get up to the top to see the Passion Wagon welcoming them in, providing all the refuelling items they needed. Isotonic waters, sweets, bananas. ‘Team Support’ were awesome this year, giving up their time to support the team in anyway they can. Gaynor, Boing & Les were champions on the weekend. What a great team effort.  Again, what goes up must come down, they certainly enjoyed the last 6 or 7 miles into Ludlow to finish up at the always welcoming Ludlow Brewery to finish up with Day 1 meeting Ben’s family and friends.  

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With the cycling done for the day, food and rest was on the cards after a few slurps and stories of Ben and his ridiculous adventures. One or two of our own thrown in to see  cheekbones hurting from the laughing (ask Tricky about his Pterodactyl). 

 

 

Day 2. 

 

As ever, started by getting a full English from The Castle Lodge Buttery right by Ludlow Castle. A few sore heads required the larger breakfast. Fuelled up and ready to go the team set off a little bit achy, lots of sore joints (and heads) but knew the reason why they’re putting themselves through this. Next challenge….Clee Hill

Every member of the team seemed to fly up the hill, cheered in at the top by the Support Team with every cyclist tackling the challenge head on. Clee Hill completed. Tick.

 

Now came the downhill through Cleobury then back up the other end of Hopton Wafers with the miles rolling on by at a rate of knots. Chatter, laughs and banter seemed to be at the forefront of the morning with Jill and Fraggle coming into the first meeting point of the Holt Fleet, quickly followed by Melon, Tricky, Shaun, Matt, Emily and Brains for some well-deserved fuel in the form of Gaynor’s delicious flapjacks. Present every year and always scrumptious.

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The final bit 20 or so miles. Deciding not to stop at the burial ground the team just ploughed on. Hard for the team. The headwind was making it a real challenge this year. Rolling up their sleeves and a grit in their teeth the amazing team kept going to arrive at Warwick Castle gates to complete the 130-mile challenge. Epic. They did themselves, the support team, Ben and everyone involved in the challenge proud. 

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A group photo taken to finish the challenge, then onto The New Bowling Green for a few well-earned beers and to meet Ben’s wife and kids to do the raffle. Some wonderful prizes were raffled with some much-needed funds raised for The Brain Tumour Charity and Myton Hospice. 

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We all know why we are doing this, to remember and celebrate all of our memories of an absolute legend of a human being in Ben Burton. He tackled life like a trooper so it’s the least we could do to support and remember our hero in Ben. What a man!

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Loves ya mate.

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Ready for next year team? We are.

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Much love and miles.