Challenge Britain - The Team

 

 

 

Age: 29

 

 

The Lands End to John O'Groats ride was Matthews idea. In order to provide support to the MHPF, a suitable activity needed to be undertaken to help raise sufficient funds to build a new school. This was a huge project and needed a suitable challenge to raise the required funds and as such, Lands End to John O'Groats was born. 

 

Having never faced such a physical or mental challenge before, the prospect of 12 months of training and a gruelling 8 day cycle journey is something new and daunting, yet exciting for Matthew.

 

  

"Land End to John O'Groats came about as a result of a throw away comment made in a conversation with Cleveland. Now we are planning, training and attempting to cycle the length of the UK over an 8 day period.

  

I have never been a serious cyclist, so for me such a challenge is something that I thought I would never face. The prospect of completing such an event is something that excites me beyond words.

  

Having been involved with MHPF for 12 months before deciding to take this challenge, the prospect of raising money to build a new school for the children that i support is tremendous. The pain that i know that i will face in the 8 day period will be nothing compared to the pain that the children at my schools will go through if they do not getinto education. This therefore makes everything so worthwhile." (Matt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 34

 

 

For Jon, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He had previously been in the RAF and knew what physical and mental challenges were all about. The training he had received there stood him in perfect stead for undertaking a challenge of this nature. That said, Jon had never been faced with a task of this size before and although on the surface seemed quietly confident, was tackling doubts in his own mind about whether he will be fit enough.

 

I have been at work today and had a conversation with someone which has made my realise just what we are about to embark on. It hadn't really hit home properly as its always seemed so far away. The conversation was:

"You know Jon, you seem to be eating very healthily at the moment!"

"Doing a bike ride" I said

Their reply to this was something which I think will stay with me for quite a while. It made me sit back and think "Yeah, good point actually!"

"About 20 or so miles around Leeds is it?" they said

"No, about 900 miles from one end of the country to the other!"

Open mouthed and with her jaw on the floor she replied "**** me!!"

I'm not deterred in the slightest, just a little more aware of what we are going to do as at looms ever closer. I am incredibly proud of us all. I cant wait!! (Jon)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age: 37

 

 

Having already completed the Lands End to John O'Groats ride 15 years ago, Cleveland will soon be a seasoned pro. Not many people complete the challenge once in their life, so the ride would be quite an achievement for him.

 

For Cleveland, the opportunity to complete the ride again and do so for education in rural communities of Africa is a real attraction. Both the focus of the training and the actual challenge, as well as the opportunity to raise funds for the Maasai Heritage Preservation Foundation were enough for Cleveland to want to take part.

 

Due to Clevelands experience, the team would be looking to him to provide help and support throughout the whole event. Although his dedication to cycling has dropped since he first completed the Lands End to John O'Groats ride, he has still maintained some involvement and has participated in some local events around Yorkshire.  

 

Clevelands focus and enthusiasm in everything he does will help drive the team forward when times are hard on the road.

 

......What have I got myself into?!?!? Back in October as I lay there the day after my knee op, I was thinking "......well that puts the running on the back-burner", I'd earlier in the year completed the Leeds 1/2 marathon although something click in my left knee at 11 miles .. ran until the end (hobbled)", I needed a new challenge or just let myself get older & unfit, which I didn't like the sound of.

 

I had been speaking to Matt for a while about some sort of charity cycle event, when he told me about the Maasai Heritage Foundation I thought let's do something big .... well they don't come much bigger.

   

We're kitted out & preparing ourselves for pounding the road (we're big lads, I think I'm the shortest at 6ft 1") before the biggest 8 day human body test of our lives, I must confess that when I was much younger (& fitter) I did the LEJOG ride, so I think I know what I've let myself in for, but as the years & the alcohol have taken there toll I don't think I'm at any advantage. I'm really looking forward to it, the training will be great, we'll be fit, lose weight, raise a superb amount of money for a brilliant cause & have some fun along the way, the event itself will have it's ups & downs, but we'll get there - for that I'm sure ..... unless my knee gives up, my physio says she has no concerns.

  

After all the training, planning & stress, the time has finally arrived for us to start the ride. I think it's finally hit us all on the challenge we are just about to embark on, with a mixture of nervous excitement & eagerness to start ...... what have we got ourselves into!! (Cleve)

 

 

 

Age: 62

 

 

Howard will be providing support to the team throughout the ride by driving the support vehicle. Howard will be on hand to provide the team with much needed supplies, be it food, water or spares.

 

As well as the support that Howard will be providing by being on hand with the support car, Howard will be lending his route planning and navigational skills throughout.

 

For the past 2 years, Howard has been a strong supporter of the MHPF. He has helped with vision and guidance for what the Foundation should focus on and has been a continuing support to the Foundation leadership team. Howard is delighted to be included in the challenge and to have the opportunity to raise funds for African education.