AN INTREPID IT consultant will be scaling the length of the country in the ultimate biking challenge, raising thousands of pounds for cancer charities.
28 year-old Richard Scaldwell, of Acer Road, Hayes, is one of the 15 riders in the Cycle Britain Battle Cancer (CBBC) team who are gearing up for the gruelling Land's End to John O'Groats journey.
The group will set off on June 12 from the UKs most southern point, and they hope to clock up 80 miles a day and cover the 964 miles in just under two weeks, reaching the Scottish Highlands on June 24.
Unlike the Sports relief effort which saw celebrities including comedian Patrick Kielty and TV presenter Davina McCall complete a similar feat in relay, each member of the CBBC gang will be cycling the whole distance.
The riders – friends, and friends of friends connected by various sports clubs in the South that they attend – have incidentally lost loved ones or been affected by the illness in some way. One team member, Jason Knight, is in remission from bowel cancer, having been diagnosed in 2004.
Richard, known to his friends as 'Scaldie', lost his father Graham to kidney cancer last December after a four-month battle with the illness. He was just 54.
He said it was "a devastating blow to the family" and added: "If my dad were here now he would tell me to live life to the full – sadly, that’s something he didn’t get the chance to do.
"I know that’s what he would want and it’s what I fully intend to do – this bike ride for charity is just the start.
Richard has stepped up training since the Sunday league football season drew to a close, and said that he had mixed feelings about the challenge ahead.
"The last time I really cycled was when I had a paper round as a kid so getting back on my bike has been a challenge, but I really enjoy it.
"The consecutive days on the road will take their toll and if we run into bad weather things could get that much more difficult.
"Having said that, I’m looking forward to the physical and mental challenges of cycling almost 1000 miles and raising money for such worthy causes, all of which are very close to my heart."
A number of cycling companies have provided free tyres, clothing and even bikes for the team, and over £6000 has been raised so far.
The money will go towards Cancer Research, The Marie Curie Trust and the Kangaroo Club support group. They hope to raise £15,000 in total for the three charities.
The gang will be documenting the rigours of the monumental trip on a blog, to be updated with photos and words each day during the trip.
To donate, find out more about the team or view the group's blog, go to www.cyclebritainbattlecancer.co.uk.
