OK this is it time to commit.
A few years ago a friend was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year after a long decline he died. This cruel disease took so much quality of life away from him and his family. They dealt with it brilliantly, they were lucky to have the support of friends, family and 3 great charities; MNDA, Martletts Hospice and Dignitas.
Ever since Mike was first diagnosed I have wondered what can I do to help, I have no relevant skills. What I do is work in IT and ride bicycles for fun, and sometimes organise cycling trips/challenges.
So that's it I'll get some cycling people together and take on a proper challenge, a blood, sweat and tears challenge, you know the kind that hurts, requires commitment, something people can understand and get behind. Lets see if we can raise some money to help other people in similar or worse situations.
So I emailed some people, who generally said "you're mad" and some of them said "you're mad and I'm up for it". So the Gang of 4 is formed. All of us have ridden on the South Downs before, 3 of us have ridden its entire length. None of us has done all 100miles and 12,600 feet of climbing in one day. So that is the challenge the South Downs Way in a day. The date is set Sunday 22nd of July 2012 to suffer and enjoy chalky/flinty hillage to raise some money for 3 excellent causes.
I'm hoping that friends and family will get involved, either to support us on the day, or maybe walk or ride a bit of the route themselves, or just give us their money. All good, all welcome.
There will be a just giving page setup soon. This blog will be updated from time to time with the highs and lows of training, links to relevant pages.
South Downs Way 100
