28
Jul
Six golfing friends to tackle epic cycle ride to France for brain cancer charity
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Six friends from the Harrogate area will be swapping golf clubs for bicycles this summer, riding 470 miles to France for charity.
Simon Grafton, Tim North, Paddy Kidd, Phil Webb, Rob George and David Rowley, who became friends more than 20 years ago through golf, will be attempting to ride from Oxshott in Surrey to Bordeaux in France in just six days, to raise £20,000 for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity.
The friends will set off from Surrey on August 25, cycle to Portsmouth, catch the overnight ferry to St Malo, and then continue through France, arriving in Bordeaux on August 30.
The idea for the challenge came after the team saw at first hand how a brain tumour diagnosis had affected the life of another friend. Inspired to make a difference, they decided to take on a challenge that would push them physically while raising awareness and vital funds for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity.
Phil Webb said:
I’ve had family affected by various forms of cancer, but before this cycling challenge, I only knew a little about brain tumours. There’s been very little research into brain tumours, while a lot of other cancers are very well supported.
During our lifetime we’ve seen so many improvements in cancer treatments, and we know why. It’s because of ordinary people taking on challenges like this [...] to fund essential research.
'It's the heat I'm concerned about'
Despite their long-standing friendship, this will be the first time the six golfers have ridden together as a team, and only two of them would describe themselves as experienced cyclists.
Phil said:
We’re not all regular cyclists. We’re fit through our individual sports, but we have a lot to do to get where we need to be.
The six friends know the journey will test them physically and mentally – most days will involve between 65 and 70 miles of cycling, and the final two days will cover around 90 miles each – so they have been training wherever possible. Earlier this month, four of them completed a 55-mile training ride together.
Tim North, who has been training in Mallorca, believes the French summer heat could prove one of the biggest challenges.
He said:
The route is mostly flat, but it’s the heat that I’m really concerned about.
Bordeaux is in the south-west of France, where drought and high temperatures have sparked fierce wildfires this month.
Throughout the ride, the team will cycle as a peloton, taking turns at the front to shield one another from the wind while supporting each other over the six-day challenge.
Support team
Following closely behind will be a support vehicle crewed by three of the riders’ wives, Kirstie, Victoria and Wendy, who will provide encouragement and supplies.
The cyclists hope to raise £20,000 for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity, whose mission is to improve the lives of people affected by a brain tumour diagnosis by funding world-class research across Yorkshire to develop kinder treatments. Every week across Yorkshire, 15 people receive the news that they have a brain tumour.
Marathon effort
But for one of the group, the challenge will not end when the team reaches Bordeaux. Simon Grafton will take on the Bordeaux Marathon the following weekend, just seven days after completing the 470-mile cycle-ride.
He said:
After taking on the cycle challenge with the team, I wanted to find another way to continue supporting such an important cause. If I can push myself further and help raise more awareness and funds for people affected by brain tumours, then it will all be worthwhile.
The team is encouraging individuals and businesses to support the challenge by donating, sponsoring the ride or following their journey from Surrey to Bordeaux.
To support the team’s fundraising efforts, go to their GoFundMe page.
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