Well this seemed like such a good idea at the time...
At an age where challenges seem to take on more importance, the thought of travelling through France in the sunshine with my twin brother Richard and the Dallaglio posse filled me with a bit of a thrill. Up late, an hour in the saddle, Lawrence knocking up something fresh and Italian by the roadside for lunch, a bottle of wine and some chat followed by a little downhill roll to the hotel for a massage.
It now appears that we will be in the saddle for more than six hours a day, the lunch breaks will be short, the whole event is to be held in freezing February and it's too late to back out.
Fortunately the charities that we are riding for mean quite a lot to me so I have had to refocus.... In partnership with the Sport Relief campaign, the cycle ride will aim to raise £1 million for Sport Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation, which in turn will support Cancer Research UK, DebRA, the Help for Heroes campaign, the RPA Benevolent Fund and the Leukaemia Research.
We have all been touched in some way by cancer. Our mother died of it 5 years ago, far too early in her life, so Richard's and my journey will be pushed on by thoughts of her and the hope that monies raised will bring new treatments to those who need them.
As those of you who know me are aware, I am not a natural athlete (that may be a slight understatement) so any donation you can give will be much appreciated.
More information can be found at - http://www.dallagliocycleslam.com
Au revoir mes amies
David
UPDATE - I survived one of the most intense yet enjoyable weeks. Rain & cold pretty much from Paris to Maidstone, headwinds on the last day that could have stopped a charging bull... Twickenham welcome and Greene King hospitality that night capped it all off perfectly! Roll on Murrayfield for the DCS team - thanks for all the support - quite humbling. DK xx
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