REAL RIDER
A roadie for just a year, Martin Douthwaite (right) and his mate Dave Stamper have big miles on their minds in 2018, all in the name of charity
April, last year was the first time I swung a leg over a road bike. Now, 12 months later, I’m about to set off on my own charity coast-to-coast ride. Actually, you can add another ‘-coast’ onto that, because it’s a 350-mile, two-day ride from my home in Howden, Yorkshire, to Seascale, Cumbria. We (me and my mate and ride partner Dave Stamper) are calling it 350 Miles of Madness.
I was a cricketer, but I took up running when I damaged discs in my back. Then I took up cycling when I damaged my hip, getting my bike from Cycleworks, York. I was hooked - I can’t do things in a small way, so pretty quickly I got into big mileage.
I’d wanted to arrange a charity ride last year but my mates encouraged me to ride a sportive. It was the Selby Three Swans, a 100miler that I got injured in after 10 miles and rode one-legged for the next 90. I hit the wall in the final few miles, on my own, and fell sideways into a ditch. I said to my wife, ‘I’m never going to feel like that again.’ So this year Dave and I are doing it all ourselves with 350 Miles of Madness on 14 July - the route, which includes Hardknott Pass, logistics, sponsorship (we’re @350MilesOfMadness on Facebook), everything. Dave was a body builder for 30 years. He’s dedicated, is spot on with his nutrition and has a history of charity fundraising. We’ve been told we can’t do this ride by cycling friends of ours - ‘Dave’s too heavy’, ‘you’re not experienced enough’. But we’re leaving nothing to chance. Every detail of our ride is being evaluated - starting with a bike fit at Ken Ellerker Cycles in Hull. We’re raising funds for Magic Moments for Autistic Kids, a Scunthorpe charity, as well as Mind, the mental health charity. My neighbour has an autistic grandson and I’ve seen how good care is so important in their lives. I’ve always wanted to do something that makes a difference and to help someone out, we think this fits the bill.
I can’t do things in a small way, so pretty quickly I got into big mileage