Raised: 103%
 
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £5,150.00
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If you have found yourself on this page you probably know me personally and realise that I am fast galloping towards middle age.  Grey hairs are becoming ever more apparent on a daily basis, my beer gut is spreading like a California wildfire and for some reason I don't seem to be getting any taller or looking at all 'distinguished' as I age. 

So in the style of a man who is teetering on the edge of a mid life crisis, I have decided to undertake a major physical challenge, and as I have not personally raised money in a charity effort for over a decade, I have concluded that now is the time.   

The Event:

The Etape Du Tour is the major mountain stage of the Tour de France, which is opened up to several thousand 'elite' riders on July 18th,  four days before the professionals undertake the same course.  It is 181km long and contains 3 mountain climbs with just over 16,000 feet of total elevation.  The event has to be completed at a minimum average speed.  Falling below the required pace means being caught by the 'broom wagon' and being removed from the event at any point.  The weather can vary from 100 degree sunshine down to freezing fog and snow.

The Charity:

The National Autistic Society is a fantastic charity and has put together a team of over 30 people specifically for the Etape.  You can find more details about NAS by clicking on the link to the left of this page.

I realise that most people have chosen charities and receive numerous requests for sponsorship every month.  So to make this one a little more interesting, I am going to make it substantially more financially risky for me.  As mentioned above, the Etape is not an event that everyone completes, so here it is:  If I fail to complete the course I will pay half of whatever amount you donate, instead of you (excluding mechanical failure or a crash).  Now I can't say fairer that that, can I?  So open up that wallet/purse and donate a few quid/bucks to enjoy the vision of me suffering my way round the Pyrenees.  Even if you just give a small amount, to quote the mighty Tesco -  "Every little helps". 

Donating through this website is totally secure. Your details are safe and they will not be sold on and you won't get any unwanted emails (apart from mine!). Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to NAS. 

Follow my progress:

Since I committed to doing the Etape, I have been keeping a periodic video diary, showing my slow progress from 'lump of lard' to a level of competence and fitness where I hope to be confused with an actual cyclist.  These are uploaded on You tube and you can view them by going to  www.youtube.com/davidsfuk

Thanks for your interest, now I must go as I need to shave my legs and don some lycra........

Simon

 

 

 

cheers Simon, very well done -now you can buy a Harley for your next mid life crisis!! Donation by Adam Sayers on 17/08/10

 
 

Congrats, what a story! Now write the screenplay and head down to LA - the big question, which Hollywood star is Simon David in lycra? All best Donation by Rowan & Ana on 30/07/10

 
 

Time for some squash? Congrats. Donation by Jeffrey on 29/07/10

 
 

What an amazing achievement - you've really shown what's possible with steely determination and hard work. Respect to you and your mankini. Aight. Donation by Kar & Eva on 26/07/10

 
 

Good job mate! Quite impressive. Donation by Benjamin Davis on 26/07/10

 
 

Donation by Reanne Funk on 26/07/10

 
 

Amazing effort, congratulations. What's next?! Donation by Chris Wright on 26/07/10

 
 

Donation by D Tugwell on 26/07/10

 
 

Simon, what a wonderful story! Congratulations on your adventure - hard tp believe that was actually you - or was it???? Donation by Susan Fisch - 7/26/10 on 26/07/10

 
 

Marcus and I think, in spite of your lack of stature, you are a bigger man than us for completing the challenge- well done Old Boy X Donation by Peter Sheehan on 26/07/10

 
 

Those who can, do. Those who can't think of anything more unlikely, sponsor. Wayne's pain is the NAS's gain. Bravo boys! Donation by John Fowle on 26/07/10

 
 

Given that you have actually proven that you are nuts (congrats on finishing by the way - can't wait to get the details) - I think it only fair to st! Donation by Stuart James on 21/07/10

 
 

Good luck Simon! Donation by Carol Kinney and Sharon Silveri on 15/07/10

 
 

Good luck Simon. What a good cause. Well done for all you've raised so far. Just the small task of getting over the finish line no then! Donation by Rachel Leonard on 14/07/10

 
 

Simon, now I can clearly see your nuts! Wishing you the very best of luck. Donation by Steve Bonifacio on 14/07/10

 
 

Good luck, Simon - you can do it, mate! Donation by David Mann on 14/07/10

 
 

Hands aloft over the finishing line please and a v-sign to the 'media'. Donation by John Fowle on 14/07/10

 
 

Chapeau Simon Donation by will curran on 14/07/10

 
 

Good luck Simon. I hope you have a great ride! Donation by Erin James on 14/07/10

 
 

Hope you have a magical run ol' boy Donation by William Cheney on 13/07/10

 
 

Your broken bike story moved me to tears and I felt compelled to donate. Donation by Nicole Chastain on 13/07/10

 
 

Short stuff - bon courage - pedal like Alberto not Cadel Donation by Jonathan Sutcliffe on 13/07/10

 
 

Donation by Benjamin Davis on 13/07/10

 
 

Donation by Paul Herriott on 13/07/10

 
 

Good luck mate. Donation by Stuart Girling on 13/07/10

 
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* Total raised online: £5,150.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Mobile donations: £0.00
  Total Raised: £5,150.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £511.92

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