A COMPUTER whizz will be swapping his desk chair for a Capital Modern Dutch Style hybrid bicycle, when he tackles a 297 mile marathon charity ride later this year.
Capital Cycles have proudly given Simon Rickards, 34, of Newent, a brand new bicycle which he will be riding from Aberystwyth on the west coast of Wales to Great Yarmouth, on the east coast of England. The ride should take five days, at an average of just under 60 miles a day.
Simon, who works as an IT consultant, said: “It all came about one evening when I was having a drink with a friend. We were talking about ambitions we had, and I mentioned I had always wanted to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats.
I thought it was about time I did something about it, so this seemed like a good step in the right direction. I may not be going north to south, but west to east instead, and it is still going to be difficult enough.”
Simon is now trying to himself ready for the ride.
He said: “I have managed to get a bike donated to me [by Capital Cycles], and I am going to start building up my training now. I have been jogging to get my basic fitness levels up, and will be cycling from Newent to my place in work in Gloucester every day. I want to be cycling 40 to 50 miles a day if I’m going to be ready for the trip.”
Simon has chosen a charity close to his heart to support on the ride.
He said: “Quite a few people in my family and friends have been affected by autism, and I don’t think enough support is available for most people. I am hoping to raise £5,000 for the National Autistic Society, which will go towards research and support.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor Simon can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/cycle4autism
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on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 10:09 am and is filed under Cycling News and Events.
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