KDW Complete the Myeloma UK London to Paris Ride 2017
The ride is a 4-day challenge which sees the team of riders cycling 500kms to raise money for Myeloma UK. We became involved with fundraising for Myeloma UK after one of our clients, Tony Farquharson, was diagnosed with Myeloma; our team for this year’s ride was rather fittingly named after Tony.
Why Myeloma UK?
Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow. It affects places where bone marrow is active, the bones of the spin, skull, pelvis, rib cage, the long bones of the arms and legs, the areas surrounding the shoulders and hips and the immune system.
Myeloma UK is the only UK charity dealing exclusively with Myeloma, they do not receive any government funding and rely almost entirely on voluntary donations and fundraising activities, which is why our support is so vital.
The Ride 2017
Team Tony set off on Thursday 25th May, as part of one massive peloton. They were treated with bright sunshine as they made their way to Folkestone before taken the channel tunnel to their hotel in Calais. Shortly before arriving at Folkestone the guys were met with Lympne Hill an 18% hill – just what they needed after cycling 72 miles!
Day two began with a hearty breakfast for Marcus and Gary before tackling the rolling hills of Northern France. It was during the descent of one of these hills that Gary ran into problems and managed to part with his bike at 35mph and land in the adjacent field! Luckily, he wasn’t injured but did have to ride in the ‘bus of shame’ while his bike was repaired, he was suitably fined that evening. Unfortunately this wasn’t Gary’s only fall of the day, he managed to fall off his bike three times before the big fall!
The riders departed the picturesque town of Abbeville on day 3 and had the opportunity to take part in another time trail with a timed hill climb, much to the delight of Marcus & Gary!! After the hill climb they were in need of the lunchtime rest in the pretty town of Poix de Picardie. Their final resting place before disembarking for Paris was the town of Beauvais.
On the final day of the ride all riders joined together as one massive peloton for the final leg of the journey, arriving together in Paris under police escort and cycling down to the finish at the Eiffel Tower.
Marcus and Gary both found the ride extremely enjoyable and challenging, they were particularly impressed with the fantastic organisations of the Myeloma UK Team.
With the 2017 ride over it’s now time to start thinking about London to Paris 2018!
Team Tony are delighted to have raised over £5,000 for Myeloma UK. Thank you to all our clients, family, friends and colleagues who have very kindly supported us, if you would like to make a donation then please support this fantastic charity here.
