Chris Lawrence
Chris's Rapha Manchester - London Challenge page
Fundraising for Ambitious about Autism
Story
UPDATE: It was indeed the most stupid thing I've ever done! Trains, planes and automobiles were all invented for travelling this sort of business. No one in their right mind would consider doing it on a bike, especially taking in the peak district along the way.
That said, it was an amazing day. Rapha and Ambitious about Autism had the organisation nailed; the food the feed stations kept me going and the enthusiasm of the volunteers gave morale a welcome lift.
I was on the road for just over 16 hours, 14 of that was cycling time. The peak district was stunning but brutally steep in places - I have to confess to being forced off my bike on one climb. The Monsal trail (a disused railway line compllete with tunnels) was another highlight. The low point was probably the 45 mile section between feed station 3 and 4 when I found that my home made rice cakes hadn't coped well with all that time in my jersey pocket and were developing a fur coat.
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. It's greatly appreciated and I'm overwhelmed at your generosity.
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Some might say that I've done some stupid things in my time, which I wouldn't necessarily agree with, but this has to be a strong contender for the most ridiculous. 220 miles in a day seemed like a good idea, a great challenge that would raise money for a good cause with the added benefit that I would get fit and lose a bit of weight.
At that point I think part of my brain was doing a great job of ignoring the bit of blurb that described it as hard riding and mentioned that the course took in Snake Pass in the Peak District and the Chilterns.
This is going to be by far the toughest thing I've done on the bike but it's for a great cause, Ambitious about Autism is a national charity that helps children and young people with Autism to learn, thrive and achieve.
I'm also auctioning a signed 2013 Team Garmin Sharp jersey autographed by more than 20 of the team including 2012 Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal, Alex Howes, Christian Vande Velde, David Zabriskie, Fabian Wegman, Jack Bauer, Jacob Rathe, Michel Kreder, Rohan Dennis, Andrew Talansky, Steele Von Hoff, and Tom Danielson.
All the proceeds of both the sponsorship and the auction will go to Ambitious about Autism. The cost of organising the ride has been paid for by the riders.