A team of Cheshire Freemasons completed a challenging cycle ride from Chester to London along the canal paths of England.

The team raised £22,000 for local good causes along the way.

Chester and District Standard:

On the canal side

The group consisted of 16 riders and two more in the support team. Given the rough terrain and general riding conditions an average of 40 - 50 miles a day was completed over six days.

Apart from the odd "summer" storm, a few riders falling in the canal and, of course, the odd wrong turn, the event was a great success with an added bonus of raising a great deal of money for Charity.

Chester and District Standard:

Lord Mayor of Chester Mark Williams with organiser John Miller

During the ride, many conversations with members of the public took place, answering questions and Freemasonry in general and the event was followed across many social media platforms with nightly blogs and updates streamed live.

The riders came from all across Cheshire and several businesses sponsored the team shirts to help support logistical costs such as travel, accommodation and food.

Chester and District Standard:

The Lord Mayor with some of the riders

The ride was planned following a challenge set by the Head of Cheshire Freemasons, Stephen Blank, to members to organise events to support the Cheshire Freemasons Charity.

Senior Freemason John Miller was first to step forward and developed the bike ride initiative, which soon became known as the Q2Q – going from Queen Street Masonic Hall in Chester to the United Garand Lodge of England at Great

Chester and District Standard:

At the finish line

Queen Street London, following the Shropshire Union Canal to Wolverhampton, then the routes through Birmingham, picking up the Grand Union Canal near Solihull and following that into the heart of London, some 230 miles.

Senior Freemasons and dignitaries were at the start of the ride and Stephen was there at the end to pour a well-earned glass of Fizz for the shattered adventurers.

In the last 12 months or so, Cheshire Freemasons have given approx. £1million to good causes, nationally Freemasons gave circa £48million during the same period.