Cyclone Challenge | 2009 Event & Rider Comments

“I wanted to send this e-mail to reach Peter as I have not long finished this cyclone and although from a bike maintenance point of view I had a nightmare what a fantastic day out. Peter you should be hugely proud of yourself that was a totally fantastic day and there is no way in the world I would want to miss this event again. I started early and you were at the line and finished fairly late on because of my bike problems and you were still there (I actually shouted to you great event - but then loads of people will have done this). Once again thank you I will be opening an account at you e-mail shop because people like you who gave so much of their own time for the enjoyment of others deserve to reap the rewards in other ways - I hope many more people do the same. Best Wishes” - Bob and Helen (Morpeth), 13June08

“Thank you very much for another brilliant Cyclone.  This year I did the 101 mile route rather than the 62 mile route I did last year and it was stunning. Great climbs, great views, great sweeping descents, great crowds.  All in all I'm looking forward to 2010. When can I register?” – Graeme, 13June08

“Just finished the 100m route on a tandem with my son in 8h16m and no pushing! Slightly disappointed that there were no medium T shirts left - only S and XL, neither of which fit me… Apart from this we had a really good day” - Tim Bradbury 13 June 2009

“Having just completed the 62 mile Cyclone Challenge can I just say what a great day it has been. The marshals and staff at the rugby club were great and very helpful courteous and knowledgeable.
You have set something going here to rival the Great North Run. Well done and many-many thanks for the brilliant organisation. Whoever organised the perfect weather also deserves cake! See you next year?” - Bob Fletcher, 13June09

“Hi just to say had fab ride today - route was much better directed and arrows clear! Please could you change to new email address as above so we don’t miss out next year!! Many thanks” - Ashleigh Hogarth, 13June09

“A big THANK YOU to all involved at today's "Sat" cyclone, it was a great day and well organized. WELL DONE you all deserve a pat on the back. See you next year” - Alan Henry, 13June09

“just want to thank peter and his team for their excellent organisation of todays cyclone event, me and richard thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and from what we could hear back at the rugby ground so did many more participants, you even booked the weather again too, excellent. looking forward to next year all being well, once again many thanks” - Brian & Richard Naugher, 13June09

“Thank you for an outstanding event - excellent course in beautiful countryside. Friendly and very efficient organisation - well done!” - Steve Roberts, 14June09

“Just a quick mail to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the day yesterday. Thought the 33 miler was interesting for a first ride out and talking to a couple of people who had done it last year the consensus was it was hillier this year. I'd have done it in a quicker time if I hadn't missed the turn off for Black Callerton and shot all the way down to the Jingling Gate before turning around! Regardless, well done to all involved and with any luck will see you all next year for another crack at it. Cheers” - Darren Gladstone, 14June09

“Thank you Peter for organising such a brilliant event as I told you in my first e-mail I was diagnosed with cancer in August 2008 I signed on for the 101 ride but opted for the 62 miler I did not do it for charity although I gave a donation to the altz organisation I did it for myself it gave me such a boost to see so many people out just enjoying themselves, families I made so many new friends I now have the courage to face the next phase in treatment surgery. I was in the front row watching Bradley Wiggins receive his prize. WELL DONE and Thanks again” - Derek Cowey, 14June09

“Well done Peter. That was a great race and a great weekend. I was particularly impressed with the marshalling.  Everywhere that needed it was marshalled and, in particular, the marshals stayed in position right through the race – not like some events I’ve seen where they get fewer and fewer each lap. It was a privilege to help and be involved. Cheers” – Peter McGrath, 14June09

“Congratulations all on a great day of cycling on Saturday. The route was great; signposting was OK but could maybe have done with larger or double ones on some of the sudden 90deg turns on the black run; also one or two caution signs on the potholed descents! You could improve the sign in queue with surname letter notices and split it up into 4-5 separate queues; the staff you had there were very helpful but filtering of the queue could be better. Feed stations were great and no real hold ups on getting 'dibbed'. Have you considered the bike-fixed chips and roll-over mats for next year? The post-ride food was ABYSMAL! Did I spell that right? Anyway very-bad! One small counter selling chips and burgers, after a ride!? You can really do better than this; even those that wanted to eat this price inflated muck had to queue for nearly half an hour. I did the Etape Caledonia this year and the Cyclone is way ahead in quality of the ride, challenge, scenery and value.  Just pull your socks up on the post-ride feeding!” - Julian Howell,15June09

“I didn't thank you in person yesterday as I guessed that you would be busy at the end of the race, but I just wanted to say thanks and what a great event it was. I really liked the route and thought that the race was great. …I had never done the race before but was really pleased with it, and am looking forward to coming back next year. The NEG escorted it really well and it was a very safe race… Keep up the good work and hope to see you next year” – Rob Orr, 15June09

“I completed the 100 mile ride on Saturday for the first time. Just like to say what a really well organised event - from checking in, feed stations, start, finish etc. Well done and thanks very much to all involved. Regards” - Mike Pottage, 15June09

“Great event - really enjoyed it” - Julian Whitley, 15June09

 “Not sure if this is the proper channel to say thank you for an excellent 62 miles on Saturday... but I'm sure it will get through. Rode the inaugural Cyclone 2 years ago, caught out this time by the greatly increased number of riders which meant we queued about 20 minutes to start. Much better weather this time, Northumberland in the sun is breathtaking, but the crowning glory was turning left for the Ryals and home, and having the wind behind us. Somebody must have a direct line to the deity. My heart keeps telling me to train up for the 100, but my legs tell me to act my age! Thanks again for a day to remember” - Tom Graham, 15June09

“Should have said thanks for an excellent event, start to finish, really enjoyable. Brilliant organisation from registration to completion, lovely staff on the day, really good website and communication with participants, and it was really great hear people who'd come from out of the area saying how wonderful the route was, how brilliant and unexpected the scenery (think they'd expected pits... or something..!), how hospitable everyone had been during their stay and how well organised the ride was compared to others they'd done. Big pat on back to all concerned, and thanks again. See you next year!” - Cara Reynolds, 15June09

“Can I just say what a fantastic time we had on Saturday cycling in the 62 mile cyclone, it was brilliant and the organisation of the whole event was great. Thanks and see you next year” – Sheena Murray, 15June09

“Just want to thank you for organizing such a fantastic event. Despite getting cramp and suffering a bit, thought it was a great event. Look forward to (vastly) improving my time next year. Cheers” - Phil Burke, 15June2009

“Congratulations with regard to the Cyclone Challenge as a first time rider the whole experience was fantastic and as organizers you can take great pride in what has been achieved. Will I be back next year, you bet! Please pass my thxs on to all your staff and volunteers.” - Alan Whitworth, 15June09

“Very good day with 'all boxes ticked' by previous comments. May I add another? Many of us got punctures (esp. at the start!) I would have really appreciated a track pump at each feeding station, to quickly re-inflate the bike to 100psi. "Well done" otherwise! “ – Martin Pont, 15June09

“A massive thank you to you Peter and all of the wonderful, helpful staff that worked tirelessly this weekend. I took part in the 33 miler on Saturday and I may not be the fittest of people, thought the Ryals would be the death of me, but I had a fantastic time while doing so. I will definitely be signing up for next year, see you then. Once again many thanks” – Kerry Rogers, 15June09

“Pete, thanks it was a great day and a great safe event, are very rare things in Britain these days” – Bradley Wiggins CBE, 16June09

“Just a note to say thanks for a really brilliant weekend. The organisation was really impressive, particularly the marshalling, manning of feeding stations etc. A great advert for the North East. Hopefully will be back next year!” - Andrew Wills, 16June09

“Peter, firstly I'd like to say thanks for a fantastic weekend of cycling. I was too busy watching the racing on Friday night to think much about the organisation, but I had plenty time on Saturday!  I was quite staggered by the thought of how much effort must have gone into running those challenge rides - even down to those bloody arrows that, by the top of vomit were the only things that were going to get me home… The cadets at each of the stations were fantastic, particularly the ones standing around in the hailstones - still managing to smile at increasingly desperate/hungry riders! I got a couple of hours sleep on Sat afternoon, and woke up convinced I was still sitting on the damn saddle!   The icing on the cake was definitely Sunday, watching a full field of professional and elite riders racing in perfect conditions (for spectators :) ) round our local roads was very special - and watching Brad ride away from the very best UK based riders is something I'll remember for a long time… Cheers” – Michael Docherty, 16June09