I rode l'Étape du Tour this year to raise money for the MS Society. Throughout my life I've encountered a number of people who have been affected MS. When I was in my early teens, I lost one of my favourite teachers to MS and, most recently, a friend was diagnosed with MS. All my miles this year are dedicated to them.
You can now read about my experience, have a look at my GPS track, look at pictures of event, and see how I placed.
If you're curious about the dude in the picture with the big moustache, read this blurb I wrote Of Moustaches and Mountains.
Training
I'll be putting a few of my longer or more interesting training rides up here.
26 June, 2010 - The Long One sportive, 200km in the South Downs
28 May - 1 June, 2010 - Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 - Paris to Geneva (pics)
16 May, 2010 - Cornwall Tor, Cornwall (pics)
25 April, 2010 - Up and Downs sportive, Dorking
28 March, 2010 - Outdoor Show 100, Birmingham
14 Feb, 2010 - Montserrat Loop, Barcelona (pics)
2 Jan, 2010 - Betancuria, Fuerteventura (pics)
4 Oct, 2009 - Blenheim bike festival, UK (pics)
My Inspiration (and my gimmick)
L'Étape this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first time Le Tour went through the Pyrenees. The stage is 181km long and finishes atop the Col du Tourmalet. The Tour that year was won by Octave Lapize who had a truly impressive moustache. I figure that's the secret to taming the Tourmalet -- a big old soup-strainer.
Training is vital for l'Étape and so I grew a practice moustache in November. You can see pics of this early attempt here. I'll start growing my true competitive 'tache in June.
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.
Raised:
93%
Raised so far: £1,869.40
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Huge respect Chris. Felicitations! Hope you're now allowing yourself a thoroughly earned break... Donation by Lucy L on 17/08/10 |
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As pledged. Expecting that, from now, your job title on your business card will be: 'Conqueror of the Tourmalet'. Donation by Jordi Texido on 03/08/10 |
£20.89 |
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1hr 26m 14s faster than the last man home = 5174 seconds. I knew I'd be sorry for organising that long French training ride! Donation by Rhys on 28/07/10 |
£51.74 + £14.59 Gift Aid |
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Well done Christopher! Richard Tiffin would have been proud of you as am I. Donation by Djam on 20/07/10 |
£65.00 |
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Top work old chap - and with added top lip wind resistance too. I'm impressed. Donation by Mat H on 18/07/10 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid | |
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Go Yandurain Donation by ulrich & Mona on 18/07/10 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck! I'm only donating because I'm a fan of the moustache Donation by Andrew Owen on 16/07/10 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Anonymous on 16/07/10 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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So, you will be going up in the world? Good luck Chris. Donation by Vic Yanda on 10/07/10 |
£100.00 |
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go for it chris - how many miles you doing? Donation by mark hewis on 09/07/10 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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The lovely folk at Ultimate Bikes gave me a discount when tuning up my bike for the ride in lieu of a donation so thought I'd give them a mention. Donation by Ultimate Bikes on 09/07/10 |
£5.00 |
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Allez allez! Donation by Pidge Hendrie on 09/07/10 |
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Good luck Chris. Kick that mountain's ass. Donation by Norm Thoms on 08/07/10 |
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Donation by julie dodd on 08/07/10 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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This is from the Culleton Clan (incl Annie). Joe thinks you need a perm to go with the moustache. Donation by Joseph Culleton on 07/07/10 |
£25.00 |
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Aux Alpes, citoyens! Donation by Faith M on 24/06/10 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Oh Chris! You are an amazing man! Good luck, congratulations and woo hoo! It's going to be the best ride of your life! Donation by Catherine W on 24/06/10 |
£50.00 |
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I don't care how fast you ride. Just make sure you look good doing it. Donation by Anonymous on 22/06/10 |
£41.78 |
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Best of luck! Donation by Ben Andrews on 21/06/10 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Anonymous on 17/06/10 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Anonymous on 17/06/10 |
£10.00 |
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You're nuts, but good luck. Donation by Siena Pakington on 15/06/10 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Go Chris! Donation by Nicola Evans on 10/06/10 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Good luck on Tourmalet! Donation by Michael Rutter on 07/06/10 |
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Should be easy peasey Donation by ian brown on 07/06/10 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £1,866.04 |
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| Offline donations: | £3.36 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £1,869.40 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £199.40 |
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Find out
how much it is and what we do for it.