Cycle team target Paris in epic ride
CANCER survivor Ben Dicks will be leading a team of cyclists on an epic 300-mile plus venture to raise money for two charities.
Ben, who got the all-clear from skin cancer in January, is riding alongside pals John Ball, David Ball, Steve Noel, Paul Cheater and Mike Walsh in the mission to travel from “tower to tower” in four days.
The six will have left departure point - the Barwell water tower - today, heading for a rather more picturesque tower in Paris named after its creator, Eiffel.
The ride is in aid of two charities, Cancer Research UK and the Brain Tumour Charity with the goal to raise £10,000 to be split between the two.
Ben, who runs 1st Class Barbers on the High Street in Barwell, said: “This all came about because last year I raised over £2,000 for Cancer Research UK while still in remission for cancer, and as of January this year I got the all clear. I lost my dad to cancer almost four years ago and this cycle ride I’m doing is for him.”
Today the cyclists start their journey with a 72-mile goal, departing at 10am from the water tower and ending up in Oxford before embarking on a further 83 miles on day two which will take them to Portsmouth and an overnight ferry to Le Havre.
They face the biggest challenge on Day three, cycling 90 miles to Dreux with 6,000ft of climbing and the final day will see them complete the final 55 miles and arriving at the Eiffel Tower.
The six men will be followed by a support vehicle with Graham Goadby and Margaret Ball on board.
On returning home this Sunday there are plans for a celebratory party at the Cross Keys pub in Barwell from 4pm.
Ben has been assisted by fellow rider and friend John Ball in organisation the adventure.
Commenting on the team’s training, Ben said: “We started off slow with 25-mile rides and have increased up to 50 to 70-mile rides, pushing ourselves further to make sure we are physically fit for the ride.
“We are all amateur cyclists and have never taken on a Herculean task like this - we’ve created a monster and want to ride all the way to Paris.”
Donations are being taken at www.virginmoneygiving.com/tower2tower2017 and you can also visit the Facebook page at Tower 2 Tower Barwell 2 Paris 2017.