The Big Midlands Charity Bike Ride — Full 200+ mile Ride

This is the Big Midlands Bike Ride in memory of Barry Oak.

a 200+ mile bike ride from Nottingham to Skegness and back to raise money for the Bostonian Ward who cared for our Dad and Uncle during his final days.

Thank you to all who supported us last year and… get on your bike! 😃🚲

00:00 About Dad
02:08 The Charity Ride
03:26 The Setback
04:27 The Prep
06:20 The Start
10:54 City Ground
12:00 Pit Stop 1
13:56 Mudflap
15:05 Trains
16:13 The Snack
16:47 Bushwacking 1
18:21 Bushwacking 2
22:00 Pit Stop 2
23:49 Hike-a-Bike
25:30 The Calves
26:49 Pit Stop 3
27:16 Jason’s Nap
28:48 The Weather
29:52 Skegness!
30:48 Day 2
31:48 The Bostonian Ward
32:38 Calvin’s Bike
33:53 Wet
34:33 The Finish Line
35:20 Taking the Cheque
37:57 Thanks to Everybody

[Music] For most of us, learning to ride a bike is the first thing that was passed down from father to son. Some of my earliest memories with dad were us riding bikes. [Music] There really was no better way for us to honor my dad. My best memories of dad were when he was laughing. He had the best sense of humor and always wanted to have fun. He was he was at his happiest when he was having a good laugh. He loved getting people together. It was one of the things that he strived for and and really valued that family time. When he told me about his diagnosis, it was done very typically of dad. Not much information. kind of said indirectly, you know, it was it was almost like even in my mid30s, he was still trying to make sure that I was protected, that I had nothing to worry about and that he would be fine. And as much as all of this hit me, I could train, I I believed him, you know, he was the strongest man that I knew. He he’d be fine. But eventually the decision was made to operate and try to remove it. And that was that. You know, after the operation, we were just waiting for the all clear. Yeah. But that’s that’s when we were told that it, you know, it spread and now it was about keeping it at bay for as long as possible and making sure that he could live life as best that he could. The nurses that looked after him were, you know, they were amazing. Um, a close team of people on that ward that really helped him and and all of us, you know, towards the end during the hardest time. My dad taught me strength like nobody ever could. And he kept teaching me that until his last day. [Music] Yeah. My brother, two cousins and I, we we decided that we should do something to honor him. And raising money for the ward that cared for him just just made complete sense. You know, it was a challenge. It raised money for the right cause. It was a combination of all of the things that he loved like nature, riding his bike, spending time with family, and ultimately doing good and doing what was right. So, the four of us bloss on bikes decided to ride from Trent Lock in Nottingham, which is where dad would often take us on bikes as kids to Skest close to where he lived in his later years. And then the following day we’d ride back and it would be along the canals and off-road routes because my dad and his brothers and sister would spend a lot of their youth rowing along the canals in Nottingham and riding their bikes along those routes just over 200 miles in 2 days and the money raised would be given to the Bostononian ward at the pilgrim hospital in Boston in Lincolnshshire. But yeah, we needed to get ready for it and uh for some of us that was a real challenge. I I wasn’t exactly the fittest cyclist. I mean, it had been a good 15 years since I’d been on a bike for any length of time, but we all got to it and and soon enough, it was the the week before the big uh big Midlands bike ride. And then uh yeah, another setback came. Shouldn’t ever ever think you’re invincible or it won’t happen to you cuz it did. this one blow on bike came off, hit a tree and I broke my wrist. So now there were three, we were still obviously going to do it, but the the pressure was on for me. Uh Tony and Jason had done these kind of rides before, but I had not. Now that all that was left to do was ride, and if I’m being honest, I was feeling nervous anticipation. You know, this was for dad, but it was also going to be a real test for me. and I just wanted to do him proud. This is the footage that we captured over that weekend, but it all starts the night before during a uh a last minute final check of the route. [Applause] [Music] So, where’s the first meat then? This is all based on guess work. Yeah. Yeah. But we got past Stoke Bald. Right there is where the um the dog food factory and the maggot factory. So the whole side of cliffs just fell into the tren. You can’t get down there. So why I wouldn’t go down there. You half past 4. Just ride quicker. I mean it was quicker. That’s the secret to starting. Like you ride quicker, Cal. No, I did. What happened quicker? I stopped quick. Honestly, you know, when I first watched that video, I seriously thought he was trying to jump over the top of you because he was he was just going along on the jumps and then the next thing you see is you’re lying on the floor like like you you just decided to lie on the floor and be like, “Yeah, jump me, mate. Jump me.” What works on bikes? Get on your bike. Get on your bike, lad. What does mine say? Consistency. That’s hilarious. Get a new bike. Yeah, because pain is a friend of mine. That’s hilarious. Pain’s a personal friend of Kelvin. Oh, do you reckon you can put it on? What now? Yeah. Good lord. I’m going to put it on now. Wait, hold on. Two one. What the heck? 3 2 1 jump. Just like when you 3. Three, two, one, go. Think. So fast. So far today. So far tonight. [Music] Where’s your bike? That’s a cheap shot. Oh, absolutely freezing in July. I’ve had better weather in March. Have you got some of that shammy cream? Yeah, that’s he’s putting some shabby cream on. We need to zoom in. Thank god I’m editing it. Oh, my probably not. What do I do with this excess bit? Wipe it all over my leg. You don’t come anywhere near me with it. Someone’s keen. Is there a towel? Waiting all morning for these to wake up. How about you have Can’t believe your bike. Can’t believe you’ve got a cat that matches the color of my bike. Where’s your GoPro? I don’t know, mate, but I need the toilet. Desperately on that blue bike. No, we’ll see you midnight on Sunday then. Three B on bikes on bikes. Slightly awkward, isn’t it? Never mind. He’ll learn his lesson, won’t he? Ready to rock and roll? I’m ready. Ready. Ready. See you later. See you. Good luck. Oh, you want And away they go. Three BS on bikes. [Music] [Applause] [Music] four BS on bike. Big race day one. Tony’s already succumbed to the weather and put his coat on. Sadly, not four BS on bikes today, but three BS on bikes. one bloke in a van and uh we’ve just got set off on day one of the big memorial ride and Matt’s with me. Tony’s with me. The other side. All right. And we’re spinning around. Navigation issues. Spirits are high. Everybody’s absolutely buzzing. Half the family came to see us off this morning. Very early start. We’re up at 5 on the bikes by I think about 6:45 in the end by the time everything was done. We’ve uh not sure how many kilometers or miles in we’ve got to do before the first rest stop of the day, but the idea is right now just to get through as many as we possibly can. Early doors nice and dry. Just starting to warm up now. Ty’s got his jacket on. So, it’s only 6th of July on winter jacket. Anybody would think it was March with this weather. Matt forgot his mud guard, so his uh his back’s a bit dirty already. At least it’s three BS on bikes doing it. Exactly. Yeah. Come on, boys. Let’s have it. All right, Kelvin, how you doing? How’s that van treating you, lad? See you later. There he is. Look, he’s f he’s finally hit race day. He’s heading off at the front of the pack. the brake. Matt’s in the brake. Yeah. Giving it the big w the front. Yeah. The experience heads at the back sticking together. Get getting slotted in behind each other. The least amount of work possible. Yes. I’m going to put in the least amount of effort for my flat gap. [Music] important moment of the bike ride as we come under Trent Ridge [Music] past a place that’s special to both the paternal and maternal side of our families on in. There we go. Tony, look. There you are. Look at that. One of the nicest views of the day. Morning. [Music] Get off your bike. find a nice place to lean it up. And we’re talking about peeing apparently. We’re on the right road and I said on your bike you just have to stand there and I know. But it’s all about um hip loosening up the hip angle. Yeah. Technique. See you. Bye. Soon enough we could hear the familiar sound that was Calvin. First meeting point. Four blacks on bikes minus one. Go on. Higher, higher, higher, [Music] higher. You want a new game bar or what? Come on. Come on. You need some rain bar. Some water. Beautiful. Baby, you get any. [Music] [Music] How’s the first leg, boys? How is it? Tell you what, you can take a roll to SK for this, you know. It’s absolutely freezing, is it? It’s July. Freezing cold. You wouldn’t have any other way though, would you? No. Absolutely. Right. Where’s me water? Supplies. The supplies are on the way. It’s not that bad. I think you should take it off. It’s not that bad. You’re more of a let down than me. I’ve got it on two days. It feels like on the I’ll wear it over. Yeah, I’ll take it off in a minute once it’s once that suit comes out. Going to take it off about 3 months. Cheer that weather. [Music] This is to save my ass, mate. What? I’ve already followed it. What you supposed to do? Put it in there. No. Go on. Work it out. Huh? No. Lower. Lower. Lower. There. There. On the on the exactly. Yeah. Ready? Yep. [Music] A few minutes later. Surely yes. You want it tighter than that, mate? One eternity later. [Music] After Jason’s long- winded mudguard test, we were back on the road and it was only a matter of time before Tony made a stop to listen to a train in a truck. Favorite sound in the world. That’s it. Tony, what train was that? That was a nine car 377 express. Was that actually express? How do you know? I don’t know. But feel how much it shook the bridge. Yeah. And you just see how much you actually convinced us even though it’s probably not even a real train. [Music] Thankfully, we went from train talk to planet talk. Himalayan balsam invasive species. [Music] Health and safety from the train driver. It’s clear. The train driver is happy. Where is it? Sorry, Tony. Crank me point local crossing. Nice. How many trains per hour go through here? Oh, 36 both directions. London up to Edinburgh. What type of trains? Yes. 377s, Zuma, Kelvin’s magical mystery flapjacks. What the is this? What a bag of mate. I don’t know what talk us through it. Who the has made this? Oh, okay. Flur, thank you for this. Yeah, protein protein powder. After the questionable but proteinrich snack break, we set off and were making great progress until Jason cursed us by saying what we’re all thinking. I think Tony’s looked out here with the route. Four BS walking their bikes. Countryside walk. Oh, hell. Wrap around the back. There we go. Woohoo. That’s it. We didn’t have to use the spare bike, did we? The Saring. Four B on bikes. Maintenance tips. Don’t walk throughing fields. Yeah. Don’t make a route through fields. Don’t use your uh drive train. Your drive chain. The drive chain component. Good lad. Cassette and everything else as a way to bushwack through net. Bushwhack bikes. My bike was a bushwhacking mechanism just then because bomb trap so many so many nettles. Church lane fraing. Use the after burners when you’re going. The afterburned. I was in buried. We’re all back in. What does it say on yours? We should have just got three BS on bikes. Yeah, we should have done really another field to walk through. Yay. Wouldn’t be a proper job without trying to cycle through an overgrown field. Navigation issues are always the fun bit. When you don’t know, you don’t know. So, we turned around and attempted another route that Tony promised would get us back on track. Like a fence here between me and you. Not perfect. We love nettles. Look at those tires. You know, slick. We’re on slicks. Yeah. Muddy slicks. Slicks. Oh, I’m not going to go behind me when I’m not liking the look of those nettles, mate. Look at them. The head height. You need some bushwhacking, mate. What’s the What’s the news from the Northern Front? I need a massive stick. Steady on. Not that video. Stand aside, boys. Not yet. This is Four Bloats on Bikes Wildlife Edition. Can you guess what it is yet? I think it’s a M. Come on. All day. You know that Julian Neil? They’re in a field. They seem to have stopped in a field. No, he’s not. He’s actually done a good job to be fair. Proper job. Proper bushwhacking job. Let me just check the route. Make sure this is the correct way to go. Actually, we need to turn back, Matt. Hey, I think we need to turn back. Actually, Good work, mate. That’s mud. Did you guys have to stop or anything? No. That’s good. I did get whipped by a massive bunch of nettles on the shin, though. Come on then. I thought you were going to ride through it. Clear the way. I did. Did you see what it looked like before? It’s just mindless weed. Weed. Teterous with the log in it. Yeah. Right. Matt’s finally had his poo. This shows the most inappropriate place in the world. In nailed it. Onward. Poor BS on bikes. Now we’re on the pathway. Bushwhacking done. On we go. We’re on our way. The sun’s out. Bikes are doing strong. Come on, Jay. What are you saying? Hello, darling. Hello. That was lovely that bit. Bit fun. Bit of nettles. Yeah. Cut some scrapes. Why not? bit like go through all the grass and that bit bit rugged bit rugged. And now we shall continue. The world’s slowest race team. The four BS on bikes. Got my water bottle up. All that wet grass. What a lovely day it’s turned into, though. Yeah. Beautiful. Cheers, Dad. After the slight detour, we had a short leg before our next pit stop. And the ride was beautiful. [Music] I’ll do [Music] mate. We cut a path through a field just to get on back onto a path. It was mine. So there’s no actual route. No. Having a good time. Who’s your mate? We go through the gate. It’s mate. Yeah. Yeah. Right. [Music] [Applause] Okay. Set up. [Music] Oh, hey. [Music] Get it. [Music] Love you, man. Where are we off to now then? Straight off. Straight on. Caravan is about to roll through town. And rolling through the town we were. And on the correct path this time. That was until [Music] hell. Okay. Yeah. Me. Both of us nearly ended up in a pile of I went that side though. I thought, “Oh, that part looks better.” Hiker bike. Little hiker bike through the uh nettles again. Adventure. All bikes on bikes. Hiker bike. like football back. Come on, Ollie. I decided to take lead and show the boys how it was done. [Music] I tell him now that it’s the wrong way or wait till he gets to the top. I think wait till he gets to the top. You seem really happy about going up there. [Music] I don’t think you talk to him. [Music] What do you think to the old Trump railway line then, Matt? Hey, good old railways, eh? Straight as far as the I can see 25k an hour railway line. Cannot rumble mate on the back. Sun’s shining. Matt’s on the front as well. Yeah. Pushing on. We’re recording live from Matt’s calves. Who? Look at them swelling. Oh, man. We’re now on the uh I guess going to be like the the lunchtime straight, I’ll call it. We’re 10 miles out of Lincoln. So, we’re going to go and meet up with everybody and have some uh food for lunch. Hi, Dude. Hello. Starting to feel a bit difficult now. In need of that lunch break. Yeah. Stretch my legs, have a sit down, have some good food, cup of tea. It’s funny, isn’t it, how you spend the whole morning sat on a bike, and you crave a sit down. Different kind of sitting down, though, is it? Yeah. [Music] This morning’s been a real success, though, so far, I would say. Yeah. Solid. Jason was right. We were halfway as we rolled into Lincoln’s narrow alleyways and cycle friendly bridges. [Music] Didn’t break. Huh? After our lunch, Jason needed a nap. What are you doing? Just having to lie down. He hit a rock, went down, and I was just right behind him. I just plowed straight into the back of him. All I heard was Jay just be like and then I turned around and you were just both lying down. I was shouting you like Matt. Both of us were just on the floor pissing ourselves. Well, we’ve got off to a great start this afternoon, weren’t we? You didn’t see it, but Jason just fell off his bike on his own solo and I plowed straight into the back of him. That mean before that when he when he was slowing down and forgot that his feet were like hooked in and just fell over just fell on the floor bike in the air. Just a bit like sleepy. Are you okay though, Jay? Yeah, I’m sorry. Tighten up your boat. I think that was funny cuz I carried on cycling on the floor. Was it Were you on this uh this side? Yeah. And then got into the middle. I fell into the rot and then tried to get out of the rock. And then we wind it on a bit. With Jason’s wheels working and pointing in the right direction, our next test was the weather. [Applause] How you doing? Yeah. As well. Got one last leg. One last leg. One last push. You can do it. Change my clothes. You’re all good, man. You’re all good. You’re doing well. After we dried our socks, we were a few miles outside of Skg Ness with the wind behind us. We’re officially in Skegness. That is the end point. other side of the clock tower down to the beach and we’ve done day one run. There’s Calvin. Looking There he is. [Music] There’s Matt on day two lacing up. Yeah, Tony. Day two. Day two. How you feeling? That’s how I’m feeling. read. Do epic. Jay, good morning friend. Morning. You good, friend? Yeah. Mate, ready to crack on. Get some miles in the bag. Yep. Quart to 74 to 7 London time. 6:45. It’s a niceish looking day. Uh, currently not very windy, so we’re going to try to make some waves. Yeah. [Music] Three BS on bikes, one bloke in a Kia Sportage. The ride out of Skegness was breezy, so we took it steady. We’d arranged to meet the team at the Bostononian ward to let them know what we were doing and they did an incredible job of lifting the mood. Hey a [Applause] nice [Applause] Okay. Show off. How we doing? How are you all doing? Good. [Music] Kelvin, we found you a new bike, mate. If you pop to the village of Rossley, it’s waiting for you. Job done. 200 miles on that bad boy. Woo! Crosswind carnage in Lincolnshire. Who doesn’t love a crosswind headwind after 150 odd miles in the legs? Just gone on a There’s a closed road up there. Gra. It’s all gravel and everything. It’s brilliant. Like this road’s closed. They said road closed. Not toing gravel bikes. It’s not good lads. They’ve even compacted it for us as well. Gra circle with anyone. Yeah. [Music] How do you get a swan and sign to move? I’ve tried asking politely, obviously. [Applause] [Music] Little bit overgrown and a bit more technical. Four bikes on bikes off-road. Yes, we’ve just absolutely smashed a little wooded trail section. Annihilated. Look at that. Absolutely 100% gas through all the nettles. All the money. It was buzzing. Boom. Look at the state of the weekend. He’s on it. [Music] Just ride it. Walkers. Walkers. Walkers. Four blo on bikes. Coming into the finish line. Here they come. Come on, boys. Here they come. Being super proud of these boys. Yes. Yes. Come on, Sony. There he is. Don’t fall off. [Music] [Applause] [Music] The Big Midlands bike ride was complete. We’d celebrated as a family and the four BS were particularly happy that we’d tripled our fundraising goal. Now it was time to make the journey back to the hospital and head into the Bostononian ward to hand over the money to the team and say a huge thank you. Dad used to really like cycling. Um, and we all kind of grew up in uh in and around Longen in Nottingham where there’s a place called Trentlock that we used to go cycling. I remember learning to ride my bike down there. So, we we thought let’s go from Trent Lock in Nottingham to Skate Nest via canals all the way uh to SKG and then do that one day and then do the same thing back the next day. Slightly different route on the way back. Yeah, slightly different. Um 215 miles in total. Took about 10 hours each day. Calvin Calvin broke his wrist 5 days before. Yeah. The week before. So some people will do anything to work doing X-rays and stuff as well. So if anyone can fake that kind of you out. And he was the one who was He was there with me. He was the one in there. He was the one who was standing over me in shock. What What do you want me to do? I don’t know what to do. Yeah. Just Just get me a drink. Our sh decisional council at the moment have been great. They’ve organized movie nights and cinema nights and meals and different bits and pieces. So actually to start to have that equipment and that space and the proper things that we can do it with our patients going to make a real difference. It is great. Thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you. We know what Thank you though, cuz the thanks that you’ve just said to us and how much it’s appreciated is nothing in comparison to the thanks that you all deserve from us and from everybody else. [Applause] Thank you to those who donated and thank you to everyone for subscribing and watching the videos on this channel and for watching this video in particular. Thank you so much. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music]