Hi everyone, my name is Oliver Butterworth and on Saturday the 11th of July I will be doing a 3.8 mile round trip from Rochdale Cricket Club to Norden Cricket Club on my bike.
 

I was born with a rare brain disorder that effects my speech, balance and coordination, so this will be a big challenge for me.
Why am I doing this I hear you ask? Well Rochdale CC is my life in the summer, as I spend at least 4/5 days or evenings with some of my best friends, whilst making new friends along the way.

If you could donate anything to help me and my cycle team complete our aim of covering every away ground in our Lancashire League division this season that would be fantastic 👏.

Many thanks Oliver and the RCC team.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ian-gilbertson-2?utm_term=pnDngKK94 

Rochdale cricket club fitness fundraising Away fixtures 2020 - a member/supporter will do each of the different legs over the next few weekends - help us keep this great club going - est 1824 we have survived wars before - this is a hidden war and we need your support.

2nds Sun 10th May 2020 ENFIELD (cup) - 36 miles round trip @Richard Kershaw ✔️

2nds Sun 17th May 2020 CROMPTON- 11 miles round trip @ Ian Gilbertson, Adam Saville, Jack Duffy, Ruby Mann, Sian Gilbertson, Tom Gilbertson, David Sigsworth ✔️
 

1sts Sat 23rd May 2020 - TODMORDEN - 25 miles trip @ Adam Saville, Georgia, Sian, tom, Kate and Ian Gilly, Jack Duffy, Ruby Mann, Lee, Dylan Poscha, David Sigsworth ✔️
 

2nds Sat 30th May 2020 LOWERHOUSE - 42 miles round trip - Ben Ryan Davies, Jack Duffy, Andrew Harrison, Adam Saville, Ruby Mann, David Sigsworth, Ian Gilly, Ian Denham, Matt Denham ✔️
 

1sts Sun 7th June 2020 - HASLINGDEN - 18.2 mile round trip
 

2nds Sat 13th June 2020 CLITHEROE - 54 mile round trip
 

1sts Sat 20th June 2020 - RAMSBOTTOM - 18.4 miles
 

2nds Sun 28th June 2020 WALSDEN - 16 mile round trip @Kieran Stanny
 

2nds Sat 4th July 2020 - BURNLEY - 30 mile round trip

FINALE
 

1sts Sat 11th July 2020 NORDEN - 3.8 mile round trip

Saturday 23.05.2020

Todmorden away - Sian Gilly (running) Tom and Kate Gilly, Jack Duffy, Ruby Mann, Adam Saville, Georgia, Lee, Dave Sigsworth and Dylan Poscha - a squad was formed.
We set off at 10.33 as Adam Saville was caught cuddling behind the town hall and was late - we took the canal at Wellfield and continued over towards Littleborough- this is where we met Waterloo Road star Ben Ryan Davies - who was also kissing and cuddling his girlfriend - which was cute.
We waived goodbye and set off towards Walsden - next on route was Rochdale Mayfield Captain Aidy Gleeson who was in pre season training - he wished us luck and away we went.
It was a nice easy ride over to Walsden and we decided to have a pit stop at Walsden Cc - all the old guard where on show - Kenny gale, Chris barker - chairman John - the Halstead family - Fossie, Mick Watson, Lenny get your hair cut and what we having for tea shouted Tom.
It was time to descend into Todmorden- what a great village tod is - the market was open and. People were pottering about minding their own business.
Pete Duffy was the next man we met - he had canoed from Walsden and bunny hopped a few locks - what a guy - there was rumours he had a car in the vicinity and kept popping out like Mr Benn in his cycling outfit - I believe you Pete.
We finally arrived at Todmorden - Sian had beaten us again.
Family Gilbertson reverted to the car that I had left the night before and I was back off home with the youth.
Well if the canals were flat on the way to tod the road to Gordon Riggs wasn’t- crikey I thought - as I wheelied into Riggs.
Saville shouted the ice creams in and we watched the queues into Riggs - get a life I thought.
Back onto the canal and towards Littleborough- I was feeling it.
We arrived back outside the waterside pub next to the train station - it was rest time - as we sat down Ruby Ruby Ruby sat on a bee and stung her bum - this was hilarious and a second wind was found. It was great to see Doctor Duffy in action -
We were closing in on Rochdale - Duffy’s youth crew continued on the canal - Gilly’s old boys and bike chain Poscha decided to go through the delightful Newbold - there was no Wilcock butchers just people doing their own thing.
Finally Drake Street as I rode down the hill - I noticed a tram coming towards me - only one winner here - a quick bunny hop and 360 and I was nr the job centre -
 
Finally the crowds had come out for the finish and they were cheering wildly.
It was burger time at The Empire - great effort Paul Whitham
 
Next week Lowerhouse away - fitness check Mon-Fri.

Saturday 17.05.2020 

On a lovely Sunday morning we set off from home around 10am - Kate Gilly ducked at the last minute due to the bike being too big for her.  Sian decided to run even with her injured back - I set off with the novice Tom Gilly - oh man what an early performance. 3 crashes before Sudden.  We arrived late at 10.33am - Jack Duffy, Adam Saville and Ruby Mann were waiting for us. 
Our chairman Mark Reynolds was there to wave us off - our first stop was the glorious Rochdale town hall heading up to the train station and heading down Oldham road turning left at broad lane - Daz Cryer who was on the missing list was there with tea and biscuits for us - Tony Grattons dad looked at us and shouted he’s onto a bird in Thailand.
The next leg up broad lane was a killer - we were met by Pete Duffy, my sister, Archie and Pippa Duffy.
As we reach “D H Lees” the finest butchers in Crompton - Mr Ian Denham arrived where it nearly went wrong when filming live.
Next stop was Kab Ahmed’s - this lads not an early starter so we just raided his shop for goods and moved onto Crompton cricket ground.
Sian had arrived before us and the streets were lined with St. George’s flags were Tom Gilly won the yellow jersey on the final sprint.
We decided to take a different route back over the tops with beautiful views of Oldham and Manchester - we dropped down back into Rochdale via the delightful Milkstone Road passing our favourite sponsors Recruitment Solutions North West -the lads decided to use the stocks at the local church whilst they waited for me.
We moved onto the town centre - the superb flying horse and the fantastic music venue Empire looked glorious in the afternoon sunshine - our favourite night club Kokos looked fantastic - oh how we wished they were open for us.
We had another photo shot of the town hall where I met my old friend CJ with his new jaguar. We passed the corona testing centre and finally arrived home to Rochdale cricket club.
Ruby then fell off her bike and the journey was complete.
18.5km plus 3-4kms from my house.
Settee and bath time - next week Todmorden.
Please sponsor us on our campaign 
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ian-gilbertson-2?utm_term=pnDngKK94  

Saturday 10.05.2020

The walk/cycle challenge was kicked off by Richard Kershaw.  He was told of our fundrainsing by someone in his family, this is his story, and we are extremely grateful to Richard and his neice! :
 
On Saturday we were sat in the garden chilling in the sunshine when my neice tagged me in a Facebook post asking for a rider to help kick start a charity appeal for Rochdale Cricket Club.  A few messages later and I was signed up!
 

Now during this lockdown we've had some glorious weather, 24 degrees when I agreed to do it, so when I woke up on the day of the ride to chilly temperatures and high wind I was a bit deflated, however, a promise is a promise so I got on the bike around 2.30 to do my bit.
 

Those who ride bikes will know that wind is your worst enemy and as I was riding over Owd Betts I vcertainly could confirm it, and didnt stop.
 

Anyway, 30km or so later I had reached my target - Enfield Cricket Club.  Pictures taken, flapjack eaten and then back on my way home.
2.5 hours out of my day very well spent to help out a local club and if I'm needed for another job I am happy to help.  Please donate via their JustGiving CrowdFunding page.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ian-gilbertson-2?utm_term=pnDngKK94