On Monday the 21st August 2017 I will be departing from the French City of Nice and pointing the front wheel towards Geneva on the French/ Swiss Border.

Seven concecutive Stages lie ahead, back to back with no rest days and an Individual Time Trial up the most famous climb in the world 'l'Alpe
d'Huez' on day 4.  A total distance of 900kms and over 22,000M of
Elevation summiting 20 of Europes toughest and highest Mountains and a cut off time limit thrown in to make it interesting!

The 'Haute Route Alps' is regarded as one of the 'Highest & Toughest' Cycling Events that an amature cyclist can take part in.

Why would anybody in their right mind commit to such a crazy challenge? Could you imagine running the London Marathon back to back for 7 days without a single day off!

There are just two words, or more specifically two words when combined together make up the name that drives me to take part in such an event 'IVAN BRUCE'

I was lucky enough to know Ivan at school, growing up, driving to completely stupid places that no one has ever heard of once we all passed our driving tests, and later sharing our passion for cycling which we spent many hours in the both the UK & French Alps over the years on two wheels!

Ivan's story may sound like any 'normal' adult male's by the time they reach their 40's.  But what made Ivan stand out from the crowd was that almost every single day of his adult life, Ivan basically had to climb a
'Mountain'!

Having received a Kidney transplant in the early 90's at Newcastle Upon Tyne's, Ward 32 Renel Unit through a donor from Leeds (which helped Ivan enjoy many more years), to having both of his Hips replaced by his mid twenties, then both of his Knees replaced at the end of 2010.

Luck was never on his side!  I can remember the time a dog ran out in front of his bike while he was heading to an appointment at the RVI and sent him straight over the handle bars, puncturing his lung with his fractured ribs!

Then very sadly Cancer began to attack his body!

Even though Ivan was dealt these cruel hands, he never ever let them get him down.  He grasped everything with two hands and gave it his all! He put 110% into every single aspect of his life, his family, his work, his
friends and his hobbies.  Cycling gave him a great focus, and he became
an tree of knowledege on the subject!

Taking part in many cycling sportives with Ivan, he always gave it his best shot, taking on some of the toughest courses in the land, and even more so once we hit France and the High Mountains!

I think my most memorable moment of seeing Ivan on two wheels, was watching him cross the finish line atop of l'Alpe d'Huez in 2009 after completing 'La Marmotte', one of the most difficult and testing one day cycling events on the planet (an event so demanding, that many a 'fit' person would crumble long before the finish line!)  I will never forget seeing Ivan come flying round that final corner, and over the line on that baking hot Saturday in July.  He was physically shaking when I managed to find him and grab his bike from him.  The sheer effort that he had just
expended to complete the event had sucked every last drop of mental and physical strength from his whole body, what a ride, what a guy!

For everyone who knew Ivan, we all have great memories of the guy and what he meant to each and everyone of us.

I will post more details about the event, and where to follow it nearer the time.

I would be deeply grateful for everything you can give in support of Ivan and the people who helped him along the way!

I am unable to set up 'one page', to allow me to 'split' the donations
equally between the 'Ward 32's Renel Unit at the Freeman Hospital, and
MacMilian Cancer' so I have had to set up two seperate pages.  I know
it's not ideal, but would be grateful if you could visit the link below
to donate to MacMilian Cancer Support, Copy & Paste into your browser.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/HauteRouteforIvanMacmillan

Thanks again for all your support!