RATs News
Please e-mail 'RATs News' items to:
info@buderats.co.uk
Go to the Results and Gallery pages for all the latest race news
and results
and keep an eye on the Forthcoming Events page for new events
May 2013 - Help for Heroes Paris to London Cycle Ride
Yes, our very own Sean 'sick note' Jack will be cycling from Paris to London (380 Miles)
with injured Soldiers along the way. Stopping at Memorials each day, paying respects
and laying wreaths. Starting at the Eiffel Tower and finishing at the Cenotaph, London.
Leading up to May, Sean has organised two fund raising evenings.
Saturday 26th January - Quiz night at the White Hart in Holsworthy, 7.30 start.
Saturday 16th February (Valentines week) - Live band "FEEDBACK" playing in the Holsworthy
Memorial Hall. Ticket £12. All proceeds direct to the H4Hs fund.
H4H Flyer
For more information ask Sean, club nights at the P&P or visit his shop - HPT Sport!
New indoor, wet weather training opportunity
If you feel the weather is too bad to go out to run, take a look at this indoor option!
Of course you will need to find 8 running machines, some music and a few friends.
Sorry about the advert at the start.
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dTAAsCNK7RA
Sunday 21st October - Bude Sea-Pool Swim
At the very last minutes, and with many RATs already entered with other teams, 6 brave
WaterRATs stepped in, or is that jumped in, to fly the Bude RATs flag.
Katie writes ... A perfect autumn afternoon saw 11 teams of swimmers gather at Bude Sea Pool
for the Devon Air Ambulance charity swim. The sun was shining, the water was (just) above
freezing and hot soup was bubbling away for the finish. Organised by Trewin Design Partnership,
the challenge for each team was to swim as many lengths as possible in an hour.
The RATs team, Mark Ward, Sarah Curtis (missing from picture), Katie Davis, Lara Trewin, Alison
Timms and Jess Lynes, finished with a final total of 35 lengths. RATs were well represented
with several members swimming in other teams too - well done to everyone who took part.
The overall winner was decided in a nail-biting 2 length swim off between the top
two teams, Hammond H2O and Charlestown Water Polo having swum 42 lengths each.
Swimming for Hammond H2O, RAT Jim Miller was pipped to the post by Charlestown
in a fantastic end to a wonderful event.
The swim was brilliantly organised and very well supported by friends and family.
Right on our doorstep, the sea pool is a superb facility and is used regularly by
many RATs. The event was a great opportunity to show our appreciation and raise
money for the Devon Air Ambulance.
WaterRATs in other teams included: Jo Barraclough, Chris Hammond, Emma Bartrop,
Rob Shaw, Simon Hammond, Jim Miller, Sarah Miller & Isobel Waterhouse
Full results,
are here and some photos
are here
Mark Ward - July 2012 - Jogle (John O'Groats to Lands End)
Running had to go on the back burner this summer due to my son Kieran announcing earlier this year that he and a friend
wanted to celebrate the end of their GCSE's by cycling 1000 miles to raise money for Cancer Research and Bude Methodist
Church. Always the attentive father I thought it sounded fun and they graciously agreed to let me come along for the ride
(and read the maps).
We managed to travel from Bude to Thurso in one day even though it meant getting two teenagers on a 7am flight from Exeter
the morning after the school prom. The next day we met up with the Nigel and Frank (chef and driver respectively) and the
all important van full of bikes and kit. Our route was chosen to avoid main roads and cities as much as possible and with
2 weeks available we were aiming for 70 miles a day. This allowed us to pause to admire the view and make frequent
refuelling stops (Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tescos and Greggs).
Leaving John O'Groats the rain began to fall and for the next 14 days the only variation in the weather was the quantity,
duration and intensity of the rain. Our route took us due West for a day and then South towards Inverness; the Scottish
Highlands were incredible with stunning views and empty roads. The dreaded midges proved unable to keep up with our cycling
pace but soon caught up when we stopped. South of Inverness we passed Culloden (very good tea rooms) before tackling
the Cairngorms, passing both Lecht and Glenshie ski areas; the descent from the latter marked the end of our first set
of brake blocks.
The next day we approached Edinburgh via the Forth road bridge; halfway across the mother of all thunderstorms hit and
by the time we reached the outskirts of the city the roads were awash, the rush hour was in full swing and the ring road
had been closed due to flooding. The day was saved by a Travel Lodge receptionist finding space for our bikes in the
laundry room while we dried out. South of the city we headed through Peebles and into the Southern Uplands; this heavily
forested area is ideal cycling country with gentle hills and long descents. Needless to say it rained again and the flood
water was so deep we had to take the panniers off the bikes and wade.
A week after we started we crossed the border into England near Carlisle and headed for the gap between the Penines and
the lake district. This meant some clever navigation as this valley is also occupied by the A6, M6 and west coast mainline.
Our route continued to avoid main roads by taking us over the Forest of Bowland, only later did we learn that Bradley
Wiggins used the same roads to train for the Tour de France!
We ended the day trying to avoid Preston, Blackburn, Bolton and Manchester which took some doing as they don't signpost
rural roads in Lancashire. The next day we bade farewell to our support crew and headed through Cheshire and Shropshire
towards Hereford.
The river Wye was in full flood as we followed it down to Chepstow before cycling over the Severn and Avonmouth bridges.
The Westcountry might not have the mountains of the North but the Mendips and Quantocks proved lumpy enough and a taste of
what Devon and Cornwall had in store. Little (and very muddy) lanes took us from Tiverton to Bude and a welcome from the
boy's school mates at Budehaven. The last 2 days saw friends and family join us for the run to Lands End and the rain
finally stopped!
All in all it was a wonderful experience and well within the capability of an average cyclist, just train beforehand
and keep the distances realistic. Having a van with us for the first week was a huge help as getting bikes up north on
public transport is not easy and remote Scotland is not the place you want to run into problems. The boys set themselves
a target of raising one pound per mile but in the end raised over £2500.
What next? A 1000 miles South perhaps?
Sunday September 2nd 2012 - It's a Knockout Olympics
The 2012 It's a Knockout Olympics was a triumph again.
A big thank you to Roger & Bridget for the Olympic venue, to Mark and Steve for devising &
building the games and then converting the stadium so magically between events, to Alex and
the television crew for the eagerly awaited action shots and videos, to Sue and the army of
statisticians who kept the scores on the giant laser score board (picture below) and finally to Emma for the
wonderful prize giving ceremony at the end. Maybe next year the teams should have flags as
well as jokers! (also picture below)
Mark & Alex's epic 'Knockout the Movie' is here
http://youtu.be/Q7tCM6wTdqQ. Contributions from anyone welcome. So far there have been
no doping scandals although there may have been a few suggestions!
All the teams performed incredibly well, in what can only be described as very tense conditions,
but thankfully, for me, the A(ged) Team performed the best - take another look at those medals! Keep
an eye on ebay if you'd like to be the proud owner. Sorry I forgot there was a quiz too but that was
won by Team Migraine (what a pain they were!)
Sunday June 3rd 2012 - Wet RATs tour Bude
Despite the very wet weather 8 Royal RATs, led by King & Queen RATs Mark and Alex (with corgi) made a
brief red, white and blue appearance in and around the streets of Bude. This was much appreciated by the huge
crowds that had assembled around the town centre. Logistical issues meant that at no time
were all 8 together!
With no balcony from which to wave to the adoring fans, we went to the pub!
Included in the entourage were Ladies in waiting Isobel, Ellen, Sue & Annie and
a couple of late Knights Paul & Ray.
Sunday May 27th 2012 - Hot RATs cross Cornwall
Ray writes... At 09:30 Sunday May 27th we assembled on the south coast of Cornwall
in the car park at Par Sands. The target for the day to run, in relay, first to Fowey
and then following the Saints Way, to Golant, Milltown, Lanlivery, Helman Tor, Lanivet,
Withiel, St Breock, Little Petherick and finally Padstow. A distance somewhere between
30 and 35 miles.
Our only supplies for the trip were 2 Bongos stuffed with food and drink and the
promise of Fish and Chips in Padstow, if we arrived before the shop closed. The team
consisted of Bridge, Roger, Annie, Ray, Katie, Kit, Jo, Becky, Paul & Sabine. Sabine
intended to run most of the way as part of her training for the rapidly approaching 309
mile Cornish coastline run, from Hartland to Plymouth in 9 days.
The weather was quite cool to start but was due to warm up later - and it did! The
instructions to the newbies (Annie & Ray) for the first leg were ' keep the sea on
your right' - very technical stuff! Getting lost is par for the course on this type
of event and Annie & Ray wasted no time achieving this. Luckily Sabine had already
done the same but to a much greater degree and we met her on her way back
As each leg was completed the temperature increased and the food and water decreased,
the rests seemed to get shorter and the running longer. Only the fabulous views remained
constant. Lucky for me, my legs were soon so numb that I could run without any more pain!
We made it to Padstow in time for Fish and Chips and I stayed awake long enough when we
got home to watch the recorded Monaco Grand Prix.
View this !
It's what the RATs president and family get up to when not in Bude! Simon, Nicola, Keiran and
Zerran Hammond
www.youtube.com/watch?v=svW6RDH-hMU&feature=share
New local 'clifftop' 10k
- 'Mouth to Mouth'
On Saturday 15th October 2011 the National Trust,
supported by Bude RATs, staged the
first Mouth to Mouth.
Starting and finishing at Sandymouth, this was a 10k (ish) off-road trail with stunning views
on the coast path, up and down hills (including up the steps at Northcott Mouth),
through woodland and over farmland.
More detailed report on: 2011 results page.
More photos on: 2011 gallery page.
42 miles for Bern
On Sunday 2 October Mogsy (Morag Ford) successfully completed her 42 mile Ultra Marathon
in memory of her close friend Bernadette Inniss from Holsworthy in 24 degrees heat!
Mogsy has so far raised £3,900 and nearly reached her target of £4,200.42 raising funds
for FORCE Cancer Charity working locally to support anyone affected by cancer.
If you would like to help Mogsy reach her target please visit
www.justgiving.com/42milesforbern
View more detail & photos
Grrr support for Sea Pool
Jane Cann seen presenting Paul Tilzey (chairman, Friends of Bude Sea pool) with a £145
cheque collected from voluntary race entry donations from Grrr (Great Rats Random Relay)
40/20 mile event at the end of September.
Rats were delighted to be able to make a contribution in support of our endangered
Sea Pool.
It's a Knock Out - the 'video'
A short video of the RATs social "It's a Knock Out", held on Sunday 4th September, is now on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOMw0bcakX8
SOS - Save Our Seapool
RATs are urged to support the 'Save Our Sea Pool' campaign by becoming
individual members of 'Friends of Bude Sea Pool'.
Whether you are a swimmer or not this is such an important amenity for Bude
it must be saved for our children, grandchildren and visiting friends and family.
Visitors from all over the world talk fondly of this unique facility.
You can support the pool by becoming a member, all it costs is £10 a year.
More details and membership form Once downloaded and filled in, the form can be
dropped off at 'Seventh Wave Gallery', Belle Vue, Bude. Have a read, there are other benefits
available to you too! Don't allow CC to take away something that belongs to Bude.
Sunday 25 September - GRrr (Great RATs random relay)
T'was a day out in the stunning North Cornwall countryside in ideal weather, exploring
new paths and hidden valleys. It was a route of 12 legs that took runners on a figure
of eight route both North & South from Bude between the sea and the A39, with start and
finish at the Pitch & Putt hut. The legs ranged from 3km to 7km over varying terrain.
Relay teams could cover the whole course (roughly 40 miles) or the shorter version
(roughly 20 miles). Some even ran the whole distance solo! There was no time limit,
although getting back before dark was a good idea! Full Report plus photos from 2011 are avaiable
here. Information and results for our
2012 Great RATs Run are avaiable on the Great RATs Run
page.
LOST, Stolen or Strayed
Alex, Andrew, Bridget, Emma, Mark x2, Neil, Roger, Sabine & Wendy... Last spotted
searching for foxgloves on the East Devon Way ... However, there is some evidence that
Bridget and Emma made it to the sea at Lyme Regis!
view more/larger photos
Autumn swimming sessions
As last summer, swimming sessions have ceased for the 2011 summer
months . . . but there is now A PLAN. RAT's Swim Sessions will re-start
in September after the summer holidays. Mondays between 8 - 9pm. 11 week course to Christmas
school holidays (this will exclude half term week) Cost is £49.50 pp. Jackie just needs to
know names now and the details will follow later. For more detailed information, e-mail
info@buderats.co.uk or contact Jackie via
Streamline Swim Club
Mountain (bike) RATs
The Mountain RATs had a great fun morning out with Jodi and Wayne on the 1st Mountain Bike
technical session... mixed abilities but no lack of enthusiasm! After meeting at Stibb , we
were taken over a few bumpy fields and some varied downhill stretches so that Jodi and Wayne
could assess the RATs before taking them into Stowe woods for the real tech stuff; the 'gang'
all practiced at each of the 'obstacles', with mixed and sometimes amusing results....Roger!
Wayne and Jodi then tied it all together on one big circuit... good instructors
CAN teach old dogs new tricks!
complete report and more photos
(back to top)
World climbing machine record
Members of the Bude Surf Boat Club and Bude Running and Triathlon ( RATs ), are
celebrating after setting a new World Record. The eight-strong, all female team are set
to enter the record books after scaling the equivalent of Mount Everest on the specialist
Versaclimber Sport climbing machine. Together, they climbed 8,848m in 2hr, 13min and
27sec, beating the previous record by just over 32 minutes. A crowd of friends and family,
as well as a group of independent witnesses gathered at the Aspire Fitness Pod in Bude to
watch the record attempt and cheer on the team. Evidence of the achievement will now
be sent to officials at Guinness World Records who will review and verify the claim.
more information
(back to top)
'MudRATs'
The MudRATs had several outings last winter. Undoubtedly, the MUDDIEST so far was on 7th
November when they started from Duckpool, took the path north up the valley to Woodford,
then across to Eastaway and further north via Stanbury and Tonacombe before returning via
the coast path.
On 21st November they again ran from Duckpool, pictured at Hawker's
Hut (more photos in GALLERY)
'Bude Runners' win the European Surf Boat Championships
On Saturday 28th August the team from Bude Surfboat Club (including some Bude RATs)
won victory at the 2010 European Championships at Wijk aan Zee in Holland.
[ See more details ]
Mon 30th Aug to Sat 4th Sept
Holywell to Bideford legs of the Coastal Challenge
This was a relay run round the entire coast of Britain Bude RATs covered most of this
Holywell to Bideford section
More information including runners and pictures
Drambuie Challenge outcome
The Drambluie Rinse team, comprising Isobel Waterhouse, Irene Thomson,
Bridget Funnel and Jess Lynes, came 7th out of 15 international all male teams
(just one other young girl in one team), and were 3rd out of the
6 British teams.
"Totally awesome !!! we finished so much higher than we could ever
have wished for!"
Eventually there will be our video on the Drambuie website but they have thrown
together a short one for youtube which gives a few glimpses of our team
[
see video ]
[ See Bridget's report ]
(back to top)
Drambluie Rinse win the voting!
|
The RATETTES team (Drambluie Rinse - comprising Bridget, Irene, Isobel and Jess)
won the voting for entry to this challenge, over 2000 votes ahead of their
nearest rivals.
Only the teams with the top 5 voting scores will compete. |
|
Final top 5 votes
Drambluie Rinse - 6702
Garioch Goers - 4625
Are We There Yet - 4499
Riff Raf - 4379
Dramacious B - 4089 |
Thanks for everyone's voting help. By winning the voting, Drambluie Rinse have also won
a £2,500 donation for their chosen charity, Cornwall Air Ambulance.
