Ever wondered what it’s like as a fully grown adult to cycle from Glasgow to Manchester on a little pink bike designed for a toddler?
Our guess is probably not.
It’s safe to say it’s not something you think about everyday, but it’s certainly what’s been at the forefront of Wesley Hamnett’s mind over these past few days as he successfully managed to complete this incredible journey from Scotland’s largest city to his home in Wythenshawe for a number of very worthy causes.
As mad of a challenge as it may initially seem though, there’s actually a very good reason as to why the father-of-two decided to embark on the cycle of his life.
ADVERTISEMENT
After the devastating loss of his Grandad to a second fight with cancer last year, Wesley knew he wanted to do something to pay a worthy tribute to him and his three other grandparents who are also all at peace, and it was from this that the challenge was born.
It wasn’t always the Manchester-native’s plan of action though.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wesley Hamnett
While the challenge of cycling from Manchester to Glasgow is certainly no easy feat, he had actually embarked upon the much greater task of cycling all the way to Russia instead.
This was originally due to place in a few weeks time, but just as the majority of planned events this year have had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the veteran cyclist regrettably had to postpone the ride until Spring 2021 and so, settled on a much shorter journey instead, but with a unique twist in the form of a little pink bike.
A unique twist that has seen him become a local hero in the process.
ADVERTISEMENT
After arriving back home to his family and deservingly tucking into a Full English Breakfast this morning, we caught up with Wesley to gather his thoughts and see how he’s feeling after an experience he’ll never forget.
At the starting point ?
Glasgow 2 as far as this bike takes me (hopefully Manchester) ?
As the sun rose on Wednesday 16th September, Wesley said goodbye to his partner and two daughters before catching the train from Manchester Piccadilly up to his starting point in Glasgow.
He then set off on his five-day journey “with seat adjustment and the kids’ lucky mascot”.
And what a journey it was.
The ride. With seat adjustment and the kids lucky mascot ?? What the hell was I thinking ???
“[The] highlights were definitely the help I received fixing the buckled wheels and without doubt the skydive [too], which was a last minute cancellation [and did mean] a slight detour” explained Wesley.
As well as some of the large hills he had to scale – which as you can imagine were about as tough as they come – he also admitted that the trickiest aspect of the ride was not being with his family, but luckily, he met some real characters along his travels that helped to make up for it and remind him why he was tackling the challenge after all.
“The funniest moment [of the ride] was about five miles outside of Lockerbie,” he recalls.
“I saw an elderly lady stood at a very quiet village bus stop and said good morning to her so she wouldn’t be scared and think I was crazy [and then] she came back waving and shouted the she had seen me on Facebook.
“[It] made my day.”
ADVERTISEMENT
After a few technical difficulties – including a buckled wheel which needed replacing – and stopping off for a quick spot of lunch at the Scottish border, he finally arrived on English soil in Cumbria on the Friday afternoon.
He then went on to make his way through some of Northern England’s most-notable towns.
As yesterday evening rolled around – with the finish point in sight and eager to be reunited with his loved ones – he decided to put in a real shift on the home-stretch.
“All I could think about was seeing my [partner] and kids since hitting Manchester city centre,” he said.
“[So] I picked up the speed on the last leg into Wythenshawe massively”.
ADVERTISEMENT
And then, after 32 hours of cycling and almost 229 miles later, he finally crossed the finish line outside his home.
“I felt on top of the world when I finished,” said Wesley.
“The general public in Scotland and England have helped me do this in how good they have been to me – I couldn’t have done this without them”.
As well as the funds accumulated on his GoFundMe page – which have surpassed the £4,000 mark and counting – he even managed to raise a grand total of £350.91 in notes and spare change from those he met along the way, which just proves how much the public has been rooting for him.
How brilliant is this?
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s stories like this that make Manchester so great.
Whilst the challenge has certainly earned Wesley a place in the heart of many Mancunians, the journey was about so much more than that to him.
From his Grandparents’ passings, teamed with a number of other situations he has previously experienced and had to overcome in life, Wesley identified four charities he is keen to give back to with the funds raised from the ride and the four chosen charities are Macmillan Cancer Support, the Christie Charitable Fund, the British Heart Foundation, and the MFT Charity at Wythenshawe Hospital.
And with a target set to raise £5,000, Wesley’s GoFundMe page is only a couple-hundred pounds from reaching that all important milestone too.
So, if you are able to spare a few pounds, then you can find more information and donate here.
Come on Manchester – let’s help out one of our own.
Feature
First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home
Thomas Melia
Manchester Christmas Markets are back and all our Christmas wishes have come true, as its spiritual home Albert Square joins in on the festivities for the first time in six years.
Grab a mulled wine, toast yourself a marshmallow and take a seat, because we’re going to take you on a quick tour of this brand-new offering.
You’ll be able to tick off your Christmas Markets wish list in one place, as Manchester has got all your usual favourites and so much more taking place right here outside of its iconic Town Hall.
As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by a huge sign spelling out the city’s iconic abbreviation ‘MCR’, just in case you forgot where you were, that also doubles as a nice photo opportunity.
Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group
As you walk into Albert Square there’s a mix of nostalgic wooden huts and brightly coloured modern street food vendor stations waiting to tempt you with all their tasty treats.
There’s no messing around at this Christmas hotspot because not even 10 feet after you enter, you can warm up with a glühwein and bratwurst, yes please.
Think you’re done sampling some festive feasts? Think again as there’s a marshmallow toasting station, a roasted chestnut cart and lots of huts are offering their own hot chocolate creations.
Local street food vendor Rita’s Reign has made her mark in Albert Square too, serving up her foodie feasts with a seasonal spin such as the ‘Festive Feast’ and ‘Christmas Crunch’ combo boxes.
Rita’s Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
As you keep making your way round there’s some lovely gifts and trinkets to browse including tree decorations, ornaments and some vibrant pieces of art.
There’s plenty of ways to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained with some carnival-themed games and stalls as well as a vintage carousel, if that doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit what else will?
Of course, there’s even more food to mention like mini dutch pancakes, toasted sandwiches, French toast, the list is endless (Much like many of our Christmas lists).
And we couldn’t finish our visit without acknowledging the elephant in the room, also known as The Manchester Big Wheel, which is the perfect people-watching spot, but maybe hop on this ride before you try all the tasty treats mentioned above.
The tiny Lake District village that’s home to FOUR Michelin Stars – one of which is surprisingly affordable
Daisy Jackson
Cartmel has long made a place for itself on the map with its food scene, which spans everything from its world-famous Sticky Toffee Pudding shop, all the way up to its three-Michelin star restaurant L’Enclume, widely considered to be the best restaurant in the UK.
For such a tiny dot on the map, just on the edges of the Lake District, they cram in an awful lot of gastronomy, and boast four Michelin Stars on a single street.
This is the home of some of the best produce – whether that’s a mallard or a marrow – on the planet, and a lot of that reputation is thanks to chef Simon Rogan’s enterprise.
The Cartmel Valley is the home of Our Farm, where produce for his group of restaurants is carefully grown and harvested before being prepared and served to diners. The level of care that is taken at every single step of the process is outstanding.
And while L’Enclume is many people’s first thought when they hear ‘Michelin’, especially here up north, there’s a more modest and accessible little sister restaurant just next door, which acts as an incubator for all those shiny accolades.
Rogan & Co has a Michelin star of its own making, and chefs who have passed through its doors include Tom Barnes, who is now chef patron of Skof, his very own Michelin star restaurant in Manchester city centre.
The village of Cartmel. Credit: The Manc Group
One of the best things about Rogan & Co is that it acts as a gateway introduction for the magic of L’Enclume (which is a big treat for most people at £265 per person for the tasting menu).
You’re still eating the same great produce, and experiencing the same level of service, just in a more laid-back, neighbourhood restaurant setting.
And you don’t have to go the whole hog – there’s a set lunch menu where you can get three courses for just £49.
The restaurants that fall within Simon Rogan’s group are always proudly local, and never shy of shouting out their suppliers.
But this hits its stride in a really special way twice a year, when Rogan & Co celebrates Local Heroes week and crafts special menus to show off local artisans, craftspeople, growers and suppliers.
Inside Rogan & CoThe Local Heroes menuThe cheddar scone snacksCredit: The Manc Group
Dining here during Local Heroes Week means that your menu will highlight where everything is sourced, and I don’t just mean the veggies on your plate. I also mean the plate.
Each menu lists the people who have been integral in its creation – Northern Wine filling your glass, Lake District Farmers supplying the beef, Winter Tarn on the butter.
Rogan & Co also shouts out its chefs and floor staff, even crediting Beth and Kayleigh for ‘the tunes’ (and the music is local – they were playing a playlist inspired by Kendal Calling headliners through the years).
So onto that menu – it begins with a dinky cheddar scone made with cheese from Torpenhow Cheese Company just down the road, sliced in half then sandwiched back together with a pickled allium cream.
It’s like no scone I’ve ever tasted before, and yet the ritual of eating it (pulling apart the two halves, spreading the cream evenly, admiring the little shower of crumbs that falls down) feels so familiar and comforting.
Then comes a tangle of brassicas offset by some tangy preserves made by ‘The Pickle Prince’ (that’s Liam, the head chef at Our Farm).
BrassicasCartmel Valley Game mallardParkerhouse rolls
I always find bread to be one of the highlights of any tasting menu – will it be a tiny sourdough loaf, or a fluffy brioche roll?
Here, it’s a neat row of glossy buns inspired by a Parkerhouse roll, made fresh in the village bakery and glazed in Our Farm honey. They’re springy and sticky to the touch and are quickly demolished via a few pats of butter.
I expected a reduced set lunch menu to be on the simpler side, but the main course still consists of an impressive number of elements.
Romney’s mint cakeDamsons and caramelised rice pudding
There’s the leg of a Cartmel Valley Game mallard, its skin audibly crispy, a tiny copper saucepan of shepherd’s pie on the side, along with a snarl of leeks and a wedge of soft celeriac. I’m absolutely delighted with all of it.
And for pudding, damsons sourced from nearby Witherslack are cooked all the way down to a tangy jam, layered into a caramelised rice pudding and then topped with ice cream and homemade toffee popcorn.
To cap things off, there’s a Romney’s mint cake – imagine if an After Eight and a fudge took a tumble in the sheets and produced a top-class after-dinner treat. That.
Pound for pound, Rogan & Co has to be one of the best-value Michelin experiences in the country. So get in the car immediately and head up to Cartmel.
This year’s Local Heroes Week is taking place between 4 and 8 November, but it’ll be back again twice next year.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd September 2020 
