SOULMATES, who found love on two wheels, felt like “Tour de France heroes” after tying the knot in their cycling gear.
Christopher Lee Bower, a scientist, and Sharon Louise Calton, a personal trainer, met through their passion for cycling and were “instantly connected” the moment paths crossed.
The couple, who live in Suffolk, said they “knew they were soul mates” after revealing their mutual love for two wheels.
“We connected on a deep level immediately and it turned out we were born within two days,” said Bower.
“That means that not only am I a very stubborn Aries, but officially a toy boy who is two days younger.
“Sharon is the most beautiful person I have ever met, not only pleasing to the eye, but also warm, kind and deeply caring, and a brilliant communicator with whom I can always be myself.
“If there is such a thing as soulmate, it is without a doubt mine.”
UNIQUE: The couple put on their cycling gear under their wedding outfits. Photos by Tiree Dawson
Mr Bower had a romantic proposition planned at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Cartmel, but last year’s lockdown meant his passionate gesture had to be rearranged.
He said, “It all came out the window, and I suggested home instead. We celebrated with an off-road gravel bike ride through sunny Suffolk.
“Later that year we tried to go from Lands End to John O’Groats on an off-road route through Wales, hauling all of our food and supplies without using buildings or taking water from rivers and streams.
“12 people tried this crazy race, only six people made it, we got as far as Appleby in Westmoreland before illness and fatigue forced us to stop and take refuge at the Appleby Castle Hotel.
SMILE: The couple bonded over their passion for cycling. Photos by Tiree Dawson
“During dinner that evening, when we had eaten undehydrated food for the first time in nine days, we had a chat with the cook who asked how long we’d been married since we’d finished each other’s sentences.
“We admitted that we actually wanted to get married, to which he replied that the castle was a wedding venue and the seeds were sown.
“We agreed to come back and get hooked and finish the rest of the drive to John O’Groats.”
The couple tied the knot in front of two guests at the idyllic Appleby Castle Hotel.
SCHÖN: The couple said ‘Yes’ in the idyllic Appleby Castle Hotel. Photos by Tiree Dawson
“Due to the second lockdown, both of us and my brother and his wife were there as witnesses,” said Bower.
“We had the most beautiful day after it had rained for weeks, the weather god finally gave in and smiled at us with glorious sunshine for our wedding day and several days afterwards.
“Besides getting married in our cycling gear, what else?
RINGS: The couple said they ‘knew they were soul mates’ after revealing their love for two wheels. Photos by Tiree Dawson
“One of the highlights was riding our bikes in our wedding attire and dragging tin cans behind the bikes down the hill from Castle to Appleby, to the delight of bystanders and drivers.
“We felt like the heroes of the Tour de France.
I DO: Chris and Sharon Bower felt like Tour de France heroes in their cycling gear after the wedding. Photos by Tiree Dawson
“We couldn’t go to John O’Groats for our honeymoon given the restrictions still in place, but instead drove around the local trails and mountains in the still mild Cumbrian and Yorkshire weather.”