Contributed by Richard Mead
On Sunday 25th March, Rick Mead, Pete Kenworthy and Martin Dainty (on holiday from the UK) joined a small group of cyclists to compete in the 1stRuta de Senderisimo a Beneficio de Proyecto Hombre. A 25km ride along the Via Verde from Bullas to Caravaca and a 10km Walk from Cehegin to Caravaca.
Proyecto Hombre is an institution dedicated to the treatment of addictions in Spain and each region has its own set up.Funds raised from this activity will be used to support its various programmes of treatment of these addictions.
The Via Verde is a good surfaced track which used to be old railway lines between the towns which also extends towards Mula from Bullas.
There was a mixture of men and women riders including a family with the 2 children travelling in a buggy behind Dad !
The Police motor cyclists escorted the riders around Bullas to the Via Verde where they headed towards Cehegin. At the tunnel just outside the Cehegin, the cyclists passed the walkers but continued at their own pace towards the finish at Fuente de Marques.
The finish was hive of activity with all competitors receiving a bag of local produce and souvenir bandana similar to those of “La Pena’s”, which the children who had been on the walk, wore with pride after the event.
Rather than take the bus back to Bullas, Rick, Pete and Martin took the opportunity to ride back for a bit of extra training !
Hopefully, this will be an annual event with more participants entering each subsequent year.
