Cyclists do up to 100 miles for male cancer charity
THE fourth Mug Bike Ride took place on Saturday, with about 200 riders taking part.
A 25 miles clockwise round-the-island route started and finished at Salerie Corner with participants doing anything from one to four laps.
Money raised by the Male Uprising Guernsey event will go towards the building of a multi-disciplinary team meeting room at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in which different doctors can discuss the essential management of thousands of cancer patients in the Bailiwick.
Mark Smith, who co-organised the event with Ian Brown, said he was grateful to Oak Trust which had underwritten costs meaning that all sponsorship money could go to the cause.
‘The number of riders we have today is a little bit down on what we expected, but we are still raising money for Mug,’ he said.
A decision had been taken on Thursday evening to postpone the family route due to low entry numbers and that will now be held on 14 October.
Bullion Rock managing director Robin Newbould had got up at 5.30am to ride 75 miles and was starting his last 25 miles at 7pm.
‘I found out this year that one of my good friends had been diagnosed with cancer and that has been my motivation,’ he said. ‘Doing 100 miles on a bike is nothing compared to the trials of having cancer.’
Accountant Helen Gilchrist, 40, had completed 50 miles and was about to start her last 25 at 7pm.
‘I have a 100-mile challenge coming up in the UK in three weeks’ time so this makes a good training ride and it’s for a good cause,’ she said. ‘The postponement of the family route means we will be able to do it as family in a few weeks’ time.’
Software developer Tim Robins, 42, was making his debut in the event by doing one lap.
‘I do quite a bit of running and I thought that if I wanted to get back into cycling then 25 miles was a good place to start,’ he said.
Carpenter Brian Holden, 67, took part in the first Mug Bike Ride and was intending to do one lap this time.
‘I’ve just spent three weeks in Southampton having radiotherapy on my right knee, so I can understand what having cancer is all about,’ he said.
