Silverman Sherliker Sponsored Bike Ride

Team Silverman Sherliker, consisting of 12 hardy souls - of which I was one, turned out in force for the annual St Albans Rotary Club 40-mile cycle ride on Sunday 17th May.

Waking at 5.30am on a Sunday morning to get to our rendezvous point was bad enough - realising that there was incessant rain and high winds was nearly enough to send me back under the covers. But a promise is a promise, so I got myself out of the comfort of my bed and to the rendezvous. On arrival, I was greeted by our Team Leader Richard Pearlman dressed from head to toe in a red cycle outfit, such professionalism! If you can imagine Jeremy Fisher as a red frog that is what he looked like. Anyway, as a result The Pearl gained the nickname, "Red Leader" for the day.

By the time we set off the sky had cleared and we were hopeful that we would be get through the ride hit by nothing more than light passing showers. Unfortunately, our hopes were to be dashed and by the15-mile mark the heavens opened and it rained hard for the next hour and a half. The wind picked up producing a wind chill factor that would have seen Sir Ranulph Fiennes reaching for his arctic thermals!

At times the temptation to try to negotiate with the marshals to swap my bike for a thermos and brolly was overwhelming.

Unlike last year, it was not a pleasant ride around the Hertfordshire countryside, more a severe test of endurance and character, but we did it.

By the time we finished, we were very cold, very wet and our toes, legs and saddle area had completely lost any feeling, but it was all done to raise money for the good causes supported by St Albans Rotary and was well worth it.

Thank you to everyone who generously sponsored us. If you haven’t already sponsored us, but wish to contribute, you can use my "Just Giving" account: http://www.justgiving.com/johnabbott2.