Challenge team needs a helping hand (From thisisoxfordshire)

Challenge team needs a helping hand

4:24pm Monday 27th July 2009

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BICYCLE recycler Dan Harris is taking part in the longest, steepest, highest challenge in England for charity, but – literally – needs a helping hand.

The businessman, who runs the Oxford Cycle Workshop in Magdalen Road, is taking part in the Great Lakeland Challenge in the Lake District in September with friends Jim Pettipher and Paul Rowlands, from Gloucester, .

The event will see hundreds of competitors row England’s longest lake in a canoe, cycle up the country’s steepest mountain pass and climb its highest peak – all within 12 hours.

Mr Harris is looking for a fourth member to join his team and says they must have “a driving licence and the gentle touch”, because one of their duties will be as the team’s masseur.

Mr Harris said: “This is one of the toughest challenges in the UK.

“After canoeing the 10.5-mile length of Lake Windermere, we have to find our land legs and cycle up England’s steepest pass, Wrynose, which has a one-in-three gradient. It will be like cycling up a 26-mile flight of stairs. Finally, we have to conquer Scafell Pike the hard way – navigating an 8.5-mile route from Wasdale Head to the Langdale Valley.”

The trio are competing as Team OCW Orbea, named after the cycle workshop, a co- operative which refurbishes and resells used bikes, and the manufacturer of the bikes the team will be using.

Mr Harris added: “The co-operative movement is all about working together and the Great Lakeland Challenge gives us an excellent opportunity to demonstrate this spirit of cooperation and raise thousands of pounds for charity at the same time.”

Team OCW Orbea aims to raise at least £4,000 for event organiser Wooden Spoon, the charity which helps disadvantaged children.

The Great Lakeland Challenge takes place on Friday, September 11.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team, or becoming its fourth member, should call Mr Harris on 07526 690410.

tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk

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