"Please don't compare us to the Tour de France riders and their graceful, fluid movements through the Alps: more like a poor parent pushing a pram up Rainsough Brew…" Graham
They admit they're bonkers. They admit they're not pro cyclists. But Graham Cooper and Curtis White have taken up the challenge to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise money for new charity, Salford4Good.
The pair, with back up from Amanada Bickerton, will set off from John O'Groats this Friday, 27th June, and hope to finish at Land's End on 12th July, via a community reception in Salford on 4th July at 12 noon at The Broughton Trust, Humphrey Booth Centre, Heath Avenue, M7 1NY.
"Look, let's be honest, I am not a pro cyclist" says Graham, whose last challenges were doing a lock-on at Barton Moss to protest against fracking and standing in the local election in Salford last month.
"I use my bike to commute - but only when it's sunny - and that's a round trip of 12 miles" he explains "I've completed rides such as Manchester to Blackpool in aid of Christie's hospital with our youth clubs over the past five years, though. That planted the seed for such an ambitious challenge for a ten-a-day smoker, who likes a pint and visits the gym from January to April each year.
"We will inevitably be climbing some monster hills at slower than walking pace and cursing ourselves for taking on this challenge" he adds "Please don't compare us to the Tour de France riders and their graceful, fluid movements through the Alps: more like a poor parent pushing a pram up Rainsough Brew. We are fundraising for a new charity that is well worth such effort and one that I believe unlocks so much positivity in Salford and helps many."
Salford4Good was founded last year as a kind of bridge between local good causes who need support, and people who want to support their community through the giving of time and skills, money and resources.
"It's an all-encompassing organisation that is working collectively for Salford's third sector and voluntary groups" says Graham explaining why he's chosen this charity to benefit from his biking torture "It is a way of leading by example and making our own efforts to fundraise and publicize the good work of these groups in Salford.
"It is a part of my own personal list of goals I want to achieve, but also one that is a physical challenge and can in its own way raise the profile of a local deserving charity" he adds "I mean something that is not easy but also do-able with training, hours upon hours of commitment, sweat, pain, determination, support, and willingness for us to take on the unknown! Fortunately I work for an organisation that helps make people like me realise their dreams."
And Curtis adds: "Personally I think it's probably the worst but best idea we've had…it's either going to make us extreme athletes or kill us…"
To donate to the Salford4Good John O'Groats to Land's End Bike Ride – click here.
For further details on the ride and some really funny blog notes which will be updated throughout the ride – click here
Also see and like the Facebook site – Salford Road Trip – John O'Groats to Land's End – click here
Salford4Good is a partnership between Salford CVS, Binoh, The Broughton Trust, The Interlink Foundation, The Seedley and Langworthy Trust and Salford Disability Forum. For further information on its work – click here
* Enterprise Rent-a-car/Van Hire are supporting Graham and Curtis in their challenge
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