By blue2bikes
April 24 2006

After a very long 48 hours, and as the church clock stuck 7:00pm tonight, Sunday 23rd April, one of the intrepid four riders who were taking part in the ride to Madrid FC and back in 48 hours, in aid of the North Wales Air Ambulance, rode into Scott’s Nightclub.

First man home Simon ‘Evesy’ Eve arrived to a tremendous welcome from family and friends, who were waiting for the four riders to return. Evesy, thinking his ride was over at the Spanish border, due to his oil light coming on, decided to carry on after talking with a mechanic friend. He was more than overjoyed at his return, and especially as his return coincided with the church clock striking 7:00pm. Last man home was Carl Dodd, who rode into the Nightclub at 8:00pm.

Evesy, first man home © Raceline Photography

Having more tales to tell that will probably fill a novel, the intrepid four - Simon ‘Evesy’ Eve, Mark ‘Smudge’ Smith, Ray Grice and Carl Dodd - enjoyed a drink together in celebration of completing the task, and enlightening the public to the Air Ambulance work carried out in North Wales.

The intrepid four © Raceline Photography

Being held back by their connection on the tunnel train, which delayed Carl by one hour by putting him on a later train, they would have all returned home before 7:30 - but nonetheless an accomplished ride by the four, and especially Simon ‘Evesy’ Eve, who was not aware his return coincided with the church clock striking 7:00. He said, “At Crawley services I knew time was tight, with just two hours left and, having to keep to the speed limits, I just got my head down and headed home. I am more than pleased that we all got home safe and sound, and hope that donations will coincide with our accomplishment. All that is required now is some good uninterrupted sleep.”

More photographs of the four riders will be posted during this week, along with a photo of Real Madrid’s football ground - proving that they had indeed accomplished what looked like a very arduous task at the start. A credit to the riders themselves, and also to the sportsbikes used, which ran well throughout the ride - apart from Evesy’s small problem with the oil light. And a credit to the set-up of the machines prior to them starting off.

If anyone would like to donate to the fund, you can call Anna on 01978-664618, who will be delighted to take any donations, no matter how small, for this great and much needed Air Ambulance.