My story

This year I am taking part in the Haute Route - the toughest and highest cyclosportive in the world.  The 2nd edition takes place from the 19th to 25th August 2012, covering 780 km and 21,000 meters of ascent and featuring seven world-famous cities and mountain resorts: Geneva, Megève, Courchevel, Alpe d'Huez, Risoul, Auron and Nice.

19 mythical Alpine cols will challenge cyclists over the 7 timed stages, including Madeleine, Glandon, Izoard, Cime de la Bonette and the famous climb to Alpe d'Huez for an epic individual time trial. The Haute Route will continue to highlight the cols and ascents that have created the legend of cycling.

The organisers have limited the number to only 500 participants and last year 97% of the 300 cyclists were from 27 different countries.

I am riding with friends from Performance Cycles, my local cycling club and we were lucky that 7 of us got allocated places at the beginining of this year.  We have since been training both individually and together at weekends.

We start from the Jardin Anglais in Geneva on Sunday, 19th August and finishing on the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France on Saturday 25th August.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page about this event.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

My gallery 9

My updates 5

Just heading off to register and get the briefing for tomorrow. Thank you again everyone for your kind support and messages

18/08/12 14:48

Thank thank thank you everyone! We are now in France aclimatisign to the mountains and sunny weather - roll on Sunday!

17/08/12 10:20

Wow, thank you everyone for your kind support I am amazed and so pleased for Arthritis Research UK. I write this on the eve of my adventure beginning! The bags are packed, bike ready and the team gather early tomorrow morning for the off! I will keep you updated........

15/08/12 22:40

Thanks ecveryone who has sponsored me it is hugely appreciated. Only 3 weeks of training left !!

04/08/12 11:46

Ok so I've just managed to set up this page and am now getting back on the bike for some more training!!

02/08/12 08:09

My Teams

My company

My charity

Arthritis Research UK

Arthritis Research UK

Charity Registration No. 207711

Arthritis Research UK is the charity leading the fight against arthritis. More than 1 in 6 people are affected by arthritis, it is the biggest cause of pain and disability in the UK. We’re working to take the pain away and to help people remain active, doing the things they love.

Donations 38

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Chris - a fantastic challenge and a very worthy cause. Congratulations.

Donation by Jonathan Hill on 10/09/12

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Daphne Messenger on 04/09/12

£15.00

Donation by Elizabeth Gilkes on 02/09/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

I was impressed when you told me about this at Gardeners' World Live - even more impressed now you've done it! Well done, it looked epic.

Donation by Ben Leach on 29/08/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Well done Chris - what a fantastic achievement and a feat demonstrating complete fitness and determination. Truly inspirational :)

Donation by Sheryl Kinnear on 27/08/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Well done Chris. Thank you for choosing a worthwhile but often overlooked charity. Take care.

Donation by Debbie Rowlands on 25/08/12

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Good Luck Chris. Exciting, exhilerating and exhausting, but stuning scenery, huge personal achievement and all in a good cause. Very best wishes

Donation by Heather Wadsworth on 23/08/12

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

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All the best to you Chris for a fantastic journey!

Donation by DAVID PUTLEY on 22/08/12

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Go for it Chris, we're proud of you!

Donation by EMMA WILLIAMS on 22/08/12

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Wishing you all the best in this challenge!

Donation by Hazel Whitefoot on 18/08/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Roberta Cofie on 18/08/12

£22.00

+ £5.50 Gift Aid

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Take great care and keep safe please.

Donation by Anne Johnson on 17/08/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Hope you have a wonderful time, an experience you will never forget. Well done, a great cause.

Donation by Sue Bullock Sue.bullock@btinternet.com on 17/08/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Good luck Chris

Donation by Mark Diacono on 17/08/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Wishing you a safe journey and an enjoyable experience!

Donation by Anonymous on 17/08/12

£10.00

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Good luck. Don't forget your water bottle!!

Donation by Anonymous on 17/08/12

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Dear Chris Wishing you all the very best for the Haute Route, it's bound to be an incredible experience! Very best wishes!

Donation by Paul Cullen on 17/08/12

£16.00

+ £4.00 Gift Aid

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All the best Chris! Just like the Cotswolds .. only a little bit bigger. Say high to the Alpe for me!

Donation by Steve Cahill on 16/08/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Good luck Chris, it's a very worthy cause. Hope you raise loads xx

Donation by Raelene Sheath on 16/08/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Good luck Chris! All the best to everyone in the Haute Route team. x

Donation by Sarah Bainbridge on 16/08/12

£20.00

Donation by antony howard on 16/08/12

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

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Inspirational - Good luck, it sounds like an amazing challenge!

Donation by caroline maguire on 16/08/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 16/08/12

£15.00

Safe journey, Chris! From Amie & the girls at Gardens Weekly :-)

Donation by Amie Gillingham on 16/08/12

£5.00

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Bonne chance en France Chris! Hope you enjoy the ride and the fab scenery.

Donation by Kate Coles, Newingreen Nurseries on 15/08/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£513.00
  • Offline donations£0.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£513.00
  • Gift Aid£104.50

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