Welcome
This is the official web site of Bandies on Bikes, a charity cycle ride from Deal in Kent to Torpoint in Cornwall with all proceed going to 3 charities - St Luke's Hospice Plymouth, RM Benevolent Fund and The Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust.
The ride will take place between 18th - 22nd May 2009 and will have up to 18 - 20 riders 'on the road' at any one time. The cycle team will be formed by a core team of riders numbering up to 14 with up to 6 additional riders taking part on specific legs. The total mileage for the entire trip will be around the 350+ mile mark - much of which will be over some quite hilly terrain, especially towards the later stages of the ride. Because of this the ride will be not only physically but also mentally challenging.
The main driving force behind this endeavour was the recent and very untimely deaths of two members of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Band Service, Band Corporal Andrew Thomson RM and Major John Kelly RM the Director of Music of the Royal Marines band based at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.
After much brainstorming Band Corporal Phil Hobby & Band Sergeant Brett Simpson came up with the idea of a charity cycle ride and approached the Corps Bugle Major Lee Cullen with the idea. Since those early days the team of three have set the wheels in motion (pardon the pun), the results of which you will be able to follow on this web site.
Through your generous support on this web site along with collections at our regular nationwide Royal Marines Band concerts we hope to raise a significant amount of money for our 3 chosen charities.