Last year I lost one of my closest friends, Neil Bowler a shining light, who suffered catastrophic heart failure whilst out on a charity bike ride. Less than two weeks prior, during our last ride out, our conversation turned to plotting a tough challenge. To take a weekend away and tackle one of the most legendary cyclist climbs, that of Mont Ventoux, the “Giant of Provence”, the “Bald mountain” and the cyclist’s nemesis, which has been used 16 times in previous Tours De France. Last remembered in 2016, for Chris Froome running up the climb without a bike!

This is a relentless climb averaging 7.4% gradient for 21km ramping up in places to 12.5%, most certainly not for the faint hearted and has broken the spirit of plenty. It takes between 1.5hrs and 4hrs to climb dependent upon you being an accomplished cyclist or a leisurely rider, and after only 18mths of road cycling I’m probably the latter! However, I have set a tough, perhaps unreasonable, goal to try to ascend to the 6,263ft mountain summit under two and a quarter hours, but ideally as close to the 2hrs as I can manage.

It will be nearly a year since the passing of Neil, who was selfless, full of life, loved to undertake charity challenges to raise funds for great causes and just a joy to be around for all who had the privilege to know him. When Neil and I began outlining the mountain challenge, one of our incentives was for this to be a charity fundraising event. Hence when I ride Mont Ventoux on the 3^rd of September (whatever the weather) this will be in tribute to Neil who would (and will be) an outstanding "Humphrey’s Hero”, and for this reason I am seeking sponsorship for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity. Riding with this incentive will help me to complete the challenge, unfortunately now as a solo rider, but with Neil very much part of the event.

Here is the ask, would you please sponsor the challenge, and to make me really push myself to come in as close to the 2hrs as possible? This would be in support of the raising of funds for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and completing the challenge on behalf of Neil, whom I will carry a tribute to on the ride, which will be left at the great mountain’s summit.

The greater the amount of sponsorship raised, the greater the expectation from Humphrey and the gang, and we wouldn’t want to be letting Humphrey or the children down. If you would like to donate that would be really appreciated.

Thank you

David Brayshaw

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