Heading up the challenge is Dentist Andrew Legg who, following a flippant remark on the social networking site Facebook rounded up friends and colleagues to partake in the challenge alongside him.
The group of 20 will cycle 250 miles from Manchester to London in just 24 hours, setting off from the home of Team GB cycling, the Manchester Velodrome on June 8th. Andrew has wisely confirmed two ‘warm-up’ rides for March and May to ensure that the group is prepared for the main event.
The cyclists are raising money for two charities and have purposefully chosen a UK based charity and an international charity: the Karen Green Foundation, supporting people affected by Leukaemia and other blood cancers and Bridge2Aid, a dental charity of which three of the Dentists’ practices are Unity Partners, focusing on creating communities free from dental pain in East Africa.
Andrew explains “Over the last couple of years I have tried a few cycling events and was looking for the next thing to do. I posted a comment on Facebook and was amazed at the response. Although, before some of the group saw sense, I did have over 30 names down to join me for the challenge”.
The team hopes to raise over £5000 for the two charities, and can be sponsored by visiting their JustGiving Page: www.justgiving.com/teams/250in24. With just five rest stops during the challenge, 2000m of ascent and descent and the testing 250 miles of road, the group certainly deserves donations for crossing the line at Victoria Park, London on June 9th.