PEARS opening batsman Daryl Mitchell has branded a charity bike ride which saw riders saddle up for a gruelling 360 mile journey as one of the toughest challenges he has ever completed.
The Badsey resident was among 60 riders who took part in the Big Bike Ride 3, organised by the Professional Cricketers Asssociation.
Mitchell, who is also chairman of the association, was joined by his father-in-law Mel Saunders for every mile of the route.
Riders began the journey in Birmingham and finished in Cardiff after a nationwide trip which took in the Derbyshire Peak district, Shropshire, Malvern Hills, Forest of Dean and the Welsh mountains.
The Bike Ride 3 raises money for the PCA Benevolent Fund and Tom Maynard Trust, which set up in memory of the young batsman who died in tragic circumstances in 2012.
“It’s certainly one of the hardest things I have done physically and mentally as well. It’s been pretty tough but all for two good causes,” said Mitchell.
“To get through that with good mates in the group is pretty special. It’s definitely something that I will look back on be very proud of myself.”
Big Bike Ride 3 visited 16 community cricket clubs in Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Wales and three county grounds including Worcestershire’s New Road headquarters.
“Going to Worcester was pretty special for me. Knowing the roads in helped and the last 20 miles from Cleobury Mortimer to riding through the gates at New Road was one of my highlights,” he added.
Mitchell was joined on the ride by former England players Marcus Trescothick, Tim Bresnan, Geraint Jones, Matthew Maynard, Michael Vaughan, Steve James and Gavin Hamilton and a number of current and past county players.
Maynard, the former Glamorgan and England batsman and father of Tom, said the Big Bike Ride 3 was the toughest yet.
“A number of the lads have done all three but they said that this was the hardest. Completing it gives you a sense of achievement. You have to dig deep and find something that you didn’t think you had,” Maynard said.
“That’s what life is about. We have had to go through it as a family but in sport it doesn’t always come easy. There are times when you have to dig deep.”
Donations can be made to the appeal until the end of the month.
Visit www.mydonate.bt.com/events/bigbikeride3 for more information.
