Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 at Ventnor RFC

Club, Club Events, Fundraising, Isle of Wight Randonnee, News

By GH

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Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 at Ventnor RFC

The Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023, from Cycle Island CIC, took place on Sunday 30 April 2023, with the annual round-the-island cycling event having a rest stop based at Ventnor RFC.

Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 at Ventnor RFC
Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 at Ventnor RFC

Image: Andrew Cooper Photography

Another epic effort by the club’s Randonnee volunteers yesterday saw a sell-out of everything that had been prepared over the last few days and a very happy crowd of cyclists who enjoyed the friendly atmosphere at Watcombe.

Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 cyclists arriving and leaving Ventnor RFC
Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 cyclists arriving and leaving Ventnor RFC

Image: Andrew Cooper Photography

Image: James Morton

With Jan, Kay and Angie keeping the rolls and cakes stocked whilst Roly manned the till, it was amazing to watch the tables emptying as waves of pedlars came through.

The Ventnor RFC team  for Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 - Bob, Jan, Kay, Indra, Ange, Roly, Karen, Warren, Bradley, Finn and Archie
The Ventnor RFC team for Isle of Wight Randonnee 2023 – Bob, Jan, Kay, Indra, Ange, Roly, Karen, Warren, Bradley, Finn and Archie

Image: James Morton

Image: Andrew Cooper Photography

Meanwhile, Karen and Indra kept the hot food coming as Billy-Bob went into full market-trader mode with, “Get your chicken and mushroom slices and sausage rolls here! Fresh out of the oven! Plus vegany stuff too!”

The Rev and Bradley kept the hot drinks on track whilst Steve Macey exercised his ‘pleasure finger’ (that’s the one he uses for typing numbers into card machines!). Lisa and Archie kept the whole operation running by filling in wherever the pressure was threatening to overcome us.

As many as 3000 cyclists took part in the Randonnee and we’d like to thank the marshalls at Watcombe, namely Hilary, Nick, Jenny, Dennis, Alan, Tony and Ian.

Image: James Morton

Roly and his team would also like to thank the guys in the bakery at the Morrisons in Lake who overnight produced the extra 500 rolls, 300 sausage rolls and 150 hot cross buns.

A proportion of the money raised yesterday will be donated to two charities: The Tourist Information Telephone Box in Niton and The Better Days Cafe in Ventnor (which supports mental health in the community).sle

Ventnor RFC players, if you see any of these volunteers at the Ventnor Dinner Dance 2022-23 next Saturday (plus the others who work throughout the season), shake ‘em by the hand and buy the next round because it is efforts like yesterday – plus the amazing generosity of our loyal sponsors – that keeps our club going from strength to strength.

Addendum – 8 May 2023

As already reported, the Randonnee was a great success on the previous Sunday and we’ve had some excellent feedback from both the organisers and participants.  I was very remiss in not mentioning the efforts of young Evie and Finn who helped with the preparation on the Saturday.  Evie was also conspicuous on the day itself, running new till rolls to Roly’s overheating machine! Thanks to both of you.

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Secretary, Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317