News
Stars of Rugby and TV set to tackle 500 mile Cycle Challenge around Wales
22/04/2010
After a long, hard season most professional rugby players will be looking forward to a long hard rest – but whilst others might opt to lie on the beach, this summer there are a brave few who have decided to swap their rugby kit for lycra to cycle the length and breadth of Wales in support of charities in Wales and Africa.
Starting on Saturday 5th June 2010, the event known as ‘Cycle Challenge Wales’ will see a select team of rugby players, physiotherapists, TV personalities and friends embark on a grueling 500-mile journey around Wales.
The men behind this challenge are Welsh International and British Lion, Colin Charvis and fellow rugby professional Rhodri Gomer Davies (Gwent Dragons and Barbarians) who came up with the idea after their volunteering experiences in Nairobi last summer.
Others taking part in the ride include Danny Lee (Dragons and New Zealand), Iolo Williams (TV presenter and naturist), Richard Parks (Barbarians and Wales). There will also be well-known names from the world of rugby and television joining the cyclists at certain points during the ride.
Setting off from The Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, each rider will endure eight days of unrelenting saddle sores as they take a circular route around the Welsh border; crossing numerous mountain ranges and the undulating countryside and coastlines, before returning to The Vale of Glamorgan for a well earned pint on Saturday 12th June.
The team will also be stopping at various locations on route for special fundraising activities to help raise much-needed funds for the chosen charities.
Despite the huge challenge ahead, team leader, Colin Charvis, can’t wait to get started. "The excitement within the team is growing every day, and training has been going well. The support we have had from around Wales so far has been outstanding, and we look forward to meeting more supporters and have some fun at some of the planned events along the way. Roll on 5th June!”
By undertaking this cycling challenge the group of riders is aiming to raise over £30,000 in support of four nominated charities: Wales Air Ambulance, Velindre Cancer Centre, Tŷ Gobaith, and Spring Valley Primary School in Nairobi, which several players and staff taking part in the ride visited last summer.
Fellow event organiser Rhodri Gomer Davies is encouraging everyone to support the cyclists as they travel through Wales. “We hope the people of Wales come out and support us. Every penny raised will not only help hundreds of deprived children in Kenya, but will also directly benefit the communities we will be visiting on our route.”
Rhodri Davies, fundraising manager at Wales Air Ambulance and one of the team of cyclists, says: “We are extremely grateful to the organisers and participants of Cycle Challenge Wales for donating their time and effort to organise and take on this momentous challenge in aid of charity.”
To find out more about the cycle and to find out where the team will be stopping visit www.cyclechallengewales.co.uk. To make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/cyclechallengewales.
Cycle route:
Day 1 – Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, Llantrisant to Llandrindod Wells (60 miles); Day 2 - Llandrindod Wells to Ruthin (84 miles); Day 3 - Ruthin to Caernarfon (55 miles); Day 4 - Caernarfon to Dolgellau (60 miles); Day 5 - Dolgellau to Aberaeron (50 miles); Day 6 - Aberaeron to St Davids (57 miles); Day 7 - St Davids to Dunvant (72 miles); Day 8 - Dunvant to Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, Llantrisant (52 miles).
