O/T: IORRian cycling up Alpe d'Huez 10 times in 24hrs to raise funds for Blood Cancer charity, MND/ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Lifeboats & Veterans' charities...needs help!
Hello,
It's almost that silly season again (no, I don't mean The Stones out on tour) when I attempt a fairly ill-advised cycling challenge in the hope of raising money for a deserving cause or two. Last year's 16 day trek from Seattle to San Diego raised over £5000...
a lot of which was down to IORRians. A BIG thanks to you!
IMG_1494 by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
In 2014 we cycled up Mont Ventoux six times in 24 hours, which was a fairly big day out, so I had the bright idea of trying something similar on Le Tour's most famous mountain, the 21 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez. After extensive research (well, Google) the greatest number of ascents we could find completed in a day was eight: you can bet people have done more, so we rounded-up the challenge to try to complete ten ascents in 24 hours!
The date for this folly will be Wednesday 18th July, and the pros in LeTour will ride up it considerably quicker the next day. Just hope that I'm finished by then...
images (1) by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
The stats not only look awful, they are awful, hah-hah!
Almost 35,000 feet of climbing in 75 miles with the average gradient being 8.6%. Just to compare it with the previous stupidity, this the equivalent of seven Ventouxs! Er, any idea what 'awful' is in French? There is one positive- at least it'll be difficult to get lost...
CossRIUUIAAXlVL by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
So why am I bothering you with all this? Well, it would be terrific to raise funds for five Good Causes: if you can donate a little, then all of your money will be split between these five charities like this:
Bloodwise (32%), Blesma (17%), Motor Neurone Disease Association (17%), Royal National Lifeboat Institution (17%) and Multiple Sclerosis Society (17%).
So why those particular charities? Okay then...
Bloodwise is because you might remember that on the last day of 2017's ride from Seattle to San Diego, my mate Geoff told me that he had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. That was September. Well, as of January this year he has been in remission...wow! Let nobody tell you that funding research is a waste: Geoff's treatment was no cake-walk by any stretch, but the advances made over even five years ago meant a faster, more accurate and less unpleasant course of treatment. Worth my money, defo!
Blesma is the only national Armed Forces Charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives. They help all serving and ex-Service men and women who have lost limbs or eyes, to rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Gets my vote. Yours too?
The
Multiple Sclerosis Society is a community of people living with MS and also researchers, fundraisers, campaigners and volunteers. They make a real difference but need resources!
The
Royal National Lifeboat Institution is amazing, full stop! Staffed by the bravest volunteers 24 hours a day, whether it's onshore, offshore, beaches or even flood rescue. Let's support them...
The
Motor Neurone Disease Association improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. They also fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments, and brings us closer to a cure for MND. Let's send them a little help!
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK...thank you!I hope that you agree that they are all worth supporting?
I'll donate £50 for every climb that I complete. To be brutally honest, this challenge is a bit extreme and it's very far from certain that I can do it. The last time we climbed it in 2015, the temperature was over 40c.
So that's the pitch, folks. It's a good train so let's get on it...bless you!
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK...thank you!20140032_10155670314523243_7938378083441827888_n by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
If you can spare the price of a glass of wine, a decent coffee or a pint (or even better, all three!) then please click on the link below...
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK...thank you!hh by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
Thanks for indulging me with this: BV has kindly allowed this O/T...I hope that it doesn't annoy or upset any IORRians: you really are a very generous bunch!
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK...thank you!imauuuges by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
All the best and thanks a bundle...enjoy the rest of the tour!
via Imgflip Meme GeneratorSimon.
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK...thank you!IMG_0031 by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
20861895_1563790723683956_5866034277037168819_o by
nicholl.simon, on Flickr
Please CLICK ON THIS LINK...thank you!via Imgflip Meme GeneratorPlease CLICK ON THIS LINK...thank you!ps I'm keeping the standard, shoddy blog going at [
allezalpe.blogspot.com]
Edited 14 time(s). Last edit at 2018-07-01 09:39 by SimonN.