Christmas is Here !!!!!

There is usually one event during December which makes me feel all Christmassy and gets me motivated to wrap the presents and get the living room decorated and tree up.  This year's event was a 30 mile Santa Bike Ride for Chestnut Tree House, sponsored by Giant Store Shoreham & Mr Cycles at Seaford.    

The only problem was the night before I went out to celebrate Christmas and 10 years of Claire's qualification as a PT.  It was lovely to spend some time with the girls I've met at boxercise over the last year and to see everyone all dressed up.  I was on my best behaviour - only stayed for the meal, had a couple of glasses of wine and was home in bed by 11.30pm, leaving the others to a night in the pub and so I understand a couple of hours in the local "nightclub".

Whilst I was out Shaun had been busy decorating the bikes for Sunday morning.

Blinged up Doris

Blinged up Mustang

The basic idea was to dress as Santa and ride from Shoreham to Worthing Pier and back again - 8 miles.  To add a few miles on Shaun and I joined up with some of his work colleagues and the boys and girls from Seahaven Cycling who were meeting at Saltdean and then cycling to Shoreham to join the main ride.

Courtesy of Seahaven Cycling

At 8am we gathered together ready for the 11 mile ride to Shoreham and meet nearly 150 other cyclists, including fellow Boshers Nic and Nick 

Courtesy of Nik Bailey - (god I look a little demented)

Santa Team Gobby

It was quite a sight to see so many red suited fellow cyclists.  At 10am we started the out and back to Worthing Pier - it was lovely to be tooted and waved at by passing motorists and people enjoying   walks, runs and bike rides along the coastal path.

Courtesy of Giant Store Shoreham

When we got to Worthing Pier we stopped for a well earned hot drink and snack and were welcomed by the Town Cryer ........... and the sun came out!

Courtesy of Giant Store Shoreham

The return journey was much the same, lots of smiling and bemused faces along the path.  Lots of 'HoHoHo's' and Merry Christmas from the cyclists. 

Back at the Giant store we tucked in to well earned cake and refreshments and then made our way back to Saltdean.   

It was a fantastic way to spend a morning and such a great atmosphere along the whole 30 mile ride.  We've raised a bucket load of money for Chestnut Tree House, around £2,800 at the time of writing.   This will definitely be on our ride calendar for next year - thank you Giant for stewarding and making sure we were safe and fed and watered at the end - we'll definitely be back!

The only thing left is for us to get decorating & wrapping ........ motivation is waning, fast!