"50 of us will start, 50 of us will finish"

Thursday 05 September 2019

With less than two weeks before they set off for a challenging 350-mile ride across four countries in support of the Stroke Association, a group of local cyclists have been sharing their final training tips ahead of the big event.

The group will start from London on 18 September taking the participants through the countryside of rural England, across the Channel to France and Belgium, and finishing in Amsterdam four days later after stopping in Calais, Breda and Bruges.

The ride, which Express is supporting as media partner, is being organised by Discover Adventures to raise thousands of pounds to help local stroke survivors. 

Around 50 people  have signed up for the “cycling challenge of a lifetime” and some of them have shared their training lessons and their best tips ahead of the departure. 

Nicole Le Miere

Pictured: Nicole will be cycling alongside her brother, Jacques.

Primary school teacher Nicole Le Miere suffered a stroke at the age of 29, which caused lasting headaches and nerve damage leaving her with no feeling down her left side. Nicole has been a fervent supporter of the Stroke Association for many years – even more so since her father suffered a stroke nearly two years ago – and will be taking on the 350-mile ride with her brother Jacques. 

So far she has raised just over £330 for the association.

“The cycle challenge training is going well,” Nicole said, explaining that she has been training with her brother “to get the miles in.” The pair has been slowly conquering the many hills on the island, including Nicole’s least favourite at L’Etacq. 

Pictured: Nicole and Jacques have been zig zagging across the island.

“We have been doing our longer cycles every weekend at 05:30 with shorter ones in the week,” Nicole explained. “When my brother first suggested the early morning rides I thought he was mad but it really is the best time of the day and now I wouldn’t change it!

"Some of the sunrises we have seen have been beautiful! The island really is a fantastic place to cycle around.”

While staying concentrated and focused on what’s around her has left Nicole exhausted, she says her balance has gradually improved and her confidence is coming back. “The aches and pains in my legs, particularly my left, are there on a daily basis!’ she said, adding: “I do enjoy it and getting out in the fresh air always helps!”

Pictured: "The island really is a fantastic place to cycle around."

“Now the two-week countdown is on! I’m nervous but really looking forward to it!” Nicole said.

Nicole’s tips for the ride include keeping Jelly Babies in your pocket to keep you going, padded shorts, which although not glamorous do help, resting, stretching and having fun!

She added: “I like this quote: don’t worry about being the best, worry about being the best at getting better.”

Team Alan Yates Snr.

Pictured: From left, Paul Yates, Wayne Spanswick, Alan Jnr and Dave Page.

Paul Yates will be cycling in memory of his father Alan, who passed away in February, 13 years after suffering a stroke. His friends Wayne Spanswick and Dave Page jumped in, in support and the trio has since been joined by Paul’s older brother, Alan Jnr. 

Alan admitted that after reading Express's article about Paul’s participation in the ride he started “mulling” the idea over in his mind. “I was trying to find reasons why I should not do it but I could not find a legitimate reason,” Alan Jnr said.

When he mentioned the idea to his son, Charlie, he replied “Just do it dad” and even offered to cycle with him so Alan signed up that evening.

Pictured: The team's official tee shirt features a picture of Paul and Alan Jnr's father.

The four have been getting up at 05:15 twice a week for 20-mile ride and covering 80 to 100 kms at the weekend. “The summer has just flown by, “Wayne said. “everything has been geared around cycling. It was only last weekend that I got to swim in the sea for the first time.”

“We have had some low points” Paul admitted. “But we have managed to pull through. We also received a huge amount of support through donations.”

Pictured: "We are blessed to live in such a beautiful island," Alan Jnr said.

“It’s very humbling,” Alan said, adding that the first time he rode his bicycle to a football training he couldn’t breathe. Since then, he has luckily built up his resistance by “spending time in the saddle.” 

Over the past few months, the quartet has discovered corners of the island they didn’t know. “Jersey is a small but beautiful place,” Alan said. “We are blessed to live in such a beautiful island.”

They have also managed to raise over 85% of their £8,000 target for the Stroke Association.

Pictured: Wayne and Paul "training" in Czech Republic.

With only days to go before they set off on their 350-mile adventure, the group is looking forward to new roads to pedal on and … no hills. “We are going to finish, we will get there,” Wayne said. 

“We are not bothered about the time,” Paul added. “We just want to get to the finish.” 

As for their advice, it’s easily summed up: “pace yourself, rest when you need to then go again and if you are going to have a puncture, make sure it’s outside a pub.”

Eddie Noel

Pictured: The London to Amsterdam ride will be Eddie Noel's third long-distance one this year.

Earlier this year, former Infrastructure Minister Eddie Noel pledged to take part in three long-distance rides for three different charities. After raising funds for Les Amis in the 100-mile Vélo Birmingham for Les Amis and Headway in the Prudential Ride London, Mr Noel is hoping to bring in £1,900 for the Stroke Association.

Throughout his training, he has been working on building his stamina up and getting used to riding a bike for up to six hours. He is now looking forward to riding on open roads with a smaller group of people after riding with thousands of cyclists earlier this year.

Pictured: Eddie Noel with his nephew with whom he covered the 100 miles of Ride London in five-and-a-half hours.

For those thinking they are not fit enough to tackle the ride, Mr Noel wants to remind that there is no cut off time. “50 of us will start, 50 of us will finish,” he assured. “If someone needs more support and encouragement, they will get that from other riders.”

His other advice is to drink sufficiently “to not burn yourself up” and to keep the body fuelled, to avoid over-eating or starving.