The Challenge:

We will be riding 800km over 7 days between 3rd and 9th June 2010 as part of the KPMG Big Blue Ride in aid of the Alzheimer's Society.  The average distance of well over 100km per day will follow a route which also involves some significant climbing.

Day 1's route goes over Dartmoor and alone has nearly 3,000m of ascent (that's well over twice the height of Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis), Day 2 is the equivalent distance of over 3 and a half marathons, and all the days will require 5 or more hours in the saddle.  

As you can see from our "sponsors" shirts in the photo, the "spirit" of our riding so far has very much focused on the leisure side of cycling and this challenge will far exceed what we are used to.  To prepare we will be looking to train some 3 to 5 times per week over the next ten weeks covering some 2,000 - 3,000 km on the tarmac between now and June.

Why you should support us:

We all grow old someday (Alex - "I feel I am rapidly getting there!"), but for many people this brings more than just grey hair and a dislike of popular music.  Alzheimer's is a degenerative condition which can lead to loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

Perhaps the worst part is that because the deterioration is not rapid, the sufferer is usually entirely aware of their condition, which can make them feel embarassed or distressed, especially when it leads to loss of independence and dignity.

Alzheimer's is predicted to directly affect over a million people by 2025, but the wide ranging impact upon friends and relatives is far greater.  You can probably all think of someone you have known at some time who has been affected. 

The Alzheimer's Society is committed to investing in the research into the causes, prevention, treatment and care of people with dementia, but to really make a difference they need people to be as generous as they can.

We have set a high target for sponsorship and it would be great if we could exceed it - we need your support to reach this target and every little bit will help, so please give what you can, no matter how much or how little.

By sponsoring us you get "two for the price of one" (altenatively you can double your sponsorship as there are two of us, depending on how you see it!) and it really is for a worthwhile cause.

Thanks for your support,

Alex & Ben

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