A short bio from each of the team and why we've signed up to take on the 360km ride in September. 

Chris

Bikes have been a
bit of a thing for about 5 years now having had to give up running marathons
and ultra-marathons!  I ride with a local club, but it is really an excuse
to demolish coffee and cake.

Other than club
rides most weekends, the occasional 100km or 140km (normally overnight) is the
general idea but just for a change between September 17th-19th, I will be part
of the Tour de BT; a group of hardy BT souls taking on a 3 day charity cycle
around the Forest of Dean, Cotswolds and Malverns to raise as much money as we
can for Comic Relief. This will be about 360km distance and 4000m+ climbing in
total, so not insignificant, even though there will be obligatory (or in my
case compulsory and highly necessary) cake stops!! As it is Volunteering Leave,
it is the closest I will EVER get to being a professional cyclist (as in paid
to ride a bike)!!

Scott

I try and donate to a bigger volunteering project
once a year and in 2019 am able to combine this with my enjoyment of cycling.
In previous years this was for Cancer research, something everyone can relate
to. People that know me say I laugh quite a lot so BT’s chosen charity being
Comic Relief is rather apt this year. Every penny we raise will be used to help
vulnerable young people and communities, tackling terrible problems faced both
here in the UK and aboard. As a paid up member of the noble MAMIL brigade, I’m
looking forward to challenging myself taking on a total of 360km, around the
Forest of Dean, Cotswolds and Malverns to raising as much money as we can for
these worthwhile causes. (I always quote km because the number is bigger, but
for those who prefer that’s +220miles)

Ashley

After reading Chris and Scott’s bio, I’m going to
mark myself as the underdog (or just stupid). I used to cycle years ago,
however since our Daughter came along I haven’t been on a bike, in fact I don’t
even own a bike. I’ve borrowed my brothers. However, after seeing my brother
complete his first Ironman this year, and my dad (61) completing his first 10KM
open water swim. I knew I was quickly becoming the lazy one in our family and
started looking for a challenge. As luck would have it I spotted the Tour De BT
on the intranet and with a bit of persuasion from Chris signed up for this epic
challenge for a great cause.

To put the scale of this challenge in perspective,
the furthest my training has taken me thus far is 31 miles. : S  (anyone
have an electric bike I can borrow?) So please dig deep!

What we’re asking of you is to sacrifice one nice
coffee and cake, donating what you save. Think of us climbing hills in lycra
shorts, it will be enough to put you off your coffee anyway!!

With your help we can make a real difference, so
please click on the link below and donate whatever you can spare.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.