Every couple of years I like to do something dumb on a bicycle. Ride over the Alps or the Rockies or similar, and I usually combine it with raising a bit of money for charity. I have not figured out why me riding somewhere makes people reach for their wallets, but as it works, I don’t plan to knock it.
This year I signed up for the the Rapha Manchester to London ride on. It is rather long. 220 Miles, which is over 300 kms, in one day. We are raising money for Ambitious about Autism.
Autism care and research could do with a lot more attention, so hopefully this helps.
Some background
Rapha’s Manchester to London Challenge is a unique one-day event travelling through the heart of the UK. Setting off at dawn from Manchester Velodrome, each rider will attempt to complete the 220-mile parcours before midnight, arriving at the Lee Valley VeloPark on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. A tough day out for even the most seasoned sportive riders, this will be a celebration of British cycling and culture.
Held on Sunday the 7th September, the route will travel along quiet roads through the Peak District, the Midlands, the Chiltern Hills and across to east London. There will be four feed stops along the route, positioned in quintessentially British villages serving local fare. There will also be roaming mechanical support, but self-sufficiency will be key.
After the success of the Bordeaux-Paris Challenge in 2013, the aim again is to raise money for Ambitious about Autism. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects 1 in 100 people and the charity is one close to Rapha CEO and founder Simon Mottram, whose son Oscar has autism.
I’ll be riding together with my wife’s cousin, James Hart.
Should be fun and pain. I would appreciate your hard earned cash. So head over here and sponsor me please.
I also need to get training. eek.
This also fits in rather nicely with what my employer, SAP, is up to, with regards to employing people with Autism.
Vendorprisey 