News Release

Issued 28.5.09

Harrogate cyclist sets a new first on marathon 1000 mile charity ride.

Amateur Harrogate cyclist, Eric Waters, who on Monday (May 25th) began a mammoth solo cycle ride for charity from Italy, over the Alps and back  to Harrogate has notched up a new and unexpected first in his three week trek.

Yesterday, Wednesday May 27th, on Day Three of his journey, he was greeted by local journalists and photographers as he became the first cyclist to reach the 6,900 feet summit of the St Gotthard pass this year, following its official opening just an hour earlier after being closed by snow throughout the winter.

Eric, 59, a member of St Mark’s Church, Harrogate,  is aiming to raise £7500 in sponsorship on his 1000 mile journey to support Neema Crafts, a project in Tanzania begun by local couple Andy and Suzy Hart. His route took him from Lake Maggiore in Italy at 600 feet to the top of the St Gotthard pass at 6900 feet, but on Monday he was told that the pass was still shut by snow, several weeks after it normally reopens. 

Yesterday at 1pm, however, he reached the top only to find that not only was his wife, Di, there to greet him in their support car but, unexpectedly, local press were on hand to record his arrival at the summit.

Eric described what happened:

“Di  was stopped by a queue of several cars at the start of the Pass until the stroke of 11am when a workman drove up and allowed them to proceed.  By this time I was a mile or so ahead, oblivious to the fact that an important event was taking place. 

"This was the grand opening of the Pass after the winter.  My planning prior to the ride had told me it normally reopens in April, but the exceptional snow this winter has delayed the reopening weeks later than usual…  After going through a steep tunnel 1.8km long, the road emerged towards the summit, cut through snow over 12 feet deep.  The temperature had dropped to 2 degrees, but the wind chill took it much lower.  Finally I reached the summit where Di was waiting - and the press!  Unwittingly I had become the first cyclist to climb the St Gotthard Pass this year.  So Di and I were photographed and interviewed by the Luzerne Zeitung and the story of the charity ride should appear in tomorrow's edition!”

Eric’s journey will next take him from Andermatt up another gruelling climb up the Overalp Pass to the source of the River Rhine. The route then follows the river along its entire length through Leichtenstein, Austria, German, France and the Netherlands to Rotterdam. Then it’s ferry to Hull before cycling the final leg to Harrogate and St Mark’s church which he plans to reach on Sunday June 14th.

A daily diary of Eric’s marathon cycle ride can be seen at www.riponleeds.anglican.org/ericwaters.html. To sponsor Eric go to to www.justgiving.com/ericwaters

ENDS

Messages/ interview requests can be sent to Eric Waters at eric.waters@o2.co.uk

Issued by John Carter (Rev)
Press and Communications Officer, Diocese of Ripon and Leeds

jhgcarter@aol.com
01423 530369 or mobile 07798 652707