Martin (50 ish) has for many years been enthralled with cycling, in no small part due to the Tour de France coverage by Channel 4 in the 80’s. Although Martin’s ‘Palmares’ are non-existent in the cycling world, the desire to achieve a formidable sporting challenge remains at the forefront of his dream.

From a strong sporting family, his mother finished 2nd in the All England Hurdles (shortly before the outbreak of WWII) and his father played football for the 1st 11 at West Ham United and the Combined Services. Both sporting ‘careers’ cut short by the outbreak of the war.

Martin has captained his school 1st 11 cricket side, represented Kent at junior level and played hockey for Canterbury Premier League 1st 11 for 10 seasons, but at 30 and having been awarded senior county honours, it was time to call it a day.

Martin now runs and averages 120-150 kms per month. Cycling has always been in the forefront of the mind, but an objective was lacking. Two years ago, along with Lizzie, they travelled to Bagneres de Luchon in the Pyrenees to stay with dear friends Andy and Lesley Parker. This visit coincided with the Tour de France finishing and starting from this beautiful ‘thermal’ town. Martin was immediately re-invigorated and a plan was hatched to cycle from the ‘Grand Depart’, outside The Mermaid Inn in Bishopsbourne to Bagneres de Luchon, a distance of some 1,125 kilometres.

Martin is the fashionista of ‘The Tour’ and will be modelling ‘50 shades of Rapha’ and raising money for The Henry Surtees Foundation - a charity close to both his heart and that of a dear friend who is a major benefactor of this charity and supporter of this event. 

The Henry Surtees Foundation was founded by motor sport legend John Surtees CBE, following the tragic death of his son Henry, killed aged just 18 years old whilst competing in Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in 2009.

Their primary objectives are to assist people with brain or physical injuries caused by accident to return to community living by the provision of support for equipment and facilities. They also seek to provide education and training associated with motorsport-related programmes in technology, engineering, and road safety instruction for two and four wheels.

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