On Tuesday June 12 the three old guys of Rye Wheelers, Ralph Sperring, Kevin Beale and Paul Simpson rode unsupported to Paris to raise money to help Prostate Cancer UK.
Even after several training rides to Dover this was not going to be a walk in the park for the trio, who are more accustomed to the roads and climbs of Romney Marsh.
After a quick coffee in Hythe, there was a challenging climb from Folkestone to Capel, which involved a little bit of walking; Dover was in sight, the bikes fully loaded and the weight cut down with every opportunity to lighten the load, but leaving enough space in the panniers for a couple of bottles of wine and a picnic!
After five days of long hills and climbs into winds which badly affected the cyclists, passing through Clety, Ardres, L’Abbaye de Beval and Arras, the stoic threesome reached their destination, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, having to overcome the challenges of a severe lack of road signs, a Garmin battery fail and with Paul nursing an alien in his stomach.
The target was £1,000 and the final figure raised to date is £1,423.74. Thanks to everyone for their interest and generosity.
If you wish to donate you can do so by going to the Just Giving page where you can also read Ralph’s story.
Photos: Paul Simpson
Image Credits: Rye Wheelers .