The finishing line at Brighton beach suddenly turned into a loud cheer at the sight of a mysterious bear on the bike.
Among the lycra-clad cyclists, it was unusual to see a panda cycling and everyone on the finish line started chanting “Go Panda, Go Panda”.
For Panda, the attention it was getting was not unusual, in fact it was precisely for this attention it started cycling during the first lockdown; to spread joy and cheer up the dreadful faces facing the dismal times.
Wokingham’s mysterious bear, fondly known as Earley Panda has been a regular sight on the streets since the first lockdown.
Nothing short of a local celebrity, the cuddly panda has been on BBC Radio Berkshire talking about various fundraising chairty rides and featured regularly in Wokingham Today, and was the headline image of Cycling UK COP26.
The local friendly neighbourhood panda last year joined paws with Paddington Bear, mascot of Action Medical research to raise vital funds for sick children and is training hard to cycle London to Paris in July.
Panda recently cycled 60 miles from London to Essex as part of RideLondon and was paw-mped to be part of BHF London to Brighton ride.
From London to Brighton, Panda was cheered all along the way from spectators and the fellow cyclists. From awe to why on the earth, from madness to fair play, Panda was inundated with the support provided by everyone.
A point came where I couldn’t cycle anymore. Like others, Earley Panda started walking.
Yes, I am talking about the Ditchling Beacon where cyclists become pedestrians.
Because I carry overnight clothing, bike locks, food, medicines, a first-aid box, and a touring heavy bike, it wasn’t easy to pull it.
There came a point where I couldn’t even walk. That’s when Panda turned into a snail.
Scorching sun overhead, heavy sweating under the Panda head, I was barely walking when another cyclist crossed me, almost dragging his right foot.
He had a terrible cramp.
I asked him if he had electrolytes tablets, but he didn’t have any. I had some spare ones, so I offered him some.
He was very thankful for the kind gesture. So we both stopped. I took off my mask as I only take it off when I am not moving.
I gave him the electrolyte tablet, and we chatted for 4-5 mins.
And that hiatus, that kind interaction, those few minutes of knowing each other were enough for us to finish the Ditchling Beacon climb.
I even cycled the last bit, for the photo opportunity.
Earley Panda has a sizeable following across facbook, instagram and twitter and his GPS doodles are followed by many world-renowned GPS artists.
Panda’s justgiving link in the aid of Action Medical Research is https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/earley-panda-london-to-paris
EARLEY PANDA
