Charlie Goodsall a pupil at St Joseph’s College Reading is doing something most adults would not dream of doing, cycling over 1200km from Spain to the UK during the August summer holidays.  Charlie believed he “can’t do things” because of his dyslexia, but with his father’s support they have used cycling to prove that Charlie can achieve amazing things.  This, the fifth amazing challenge and is the biggest yet.

This unique adventure is the culmination of 4 smaller but amazing cycling challenges in preparation for this ride: round the Isle of Wight, ride to the seaside (Reading to Southsea), ride across Normandy, and in April he rode to Wales.  This ride is not just a personal challenge but an opportunity to raise money for charity and to help as many people as possible.  As Charlie says “Dyslexia can be tough but not having access to clean water or sanitation is even tougher”.  

The father and son team will ride unsupported carrying all of their own kit and camping all the way.  The first mini challenge is to reassemble the bikes in Biarritz Airport and get to Spain before sun goes down!  The following day the ride starts in earnest, cycling every day for 2 weeks.

The route follows “La Velodyssee” the longest cycle route in France, with a right hand turn in Brittany to Cherbourg and the UK finish line in Portsmouth, where we meet my Mum and my sister Emily.  In between, Spain and UK Charlie will cross 2 borders, 4 regions of France, 10 French departments, and cover over 1200km.  One penny per km could raise £12.00 to support water, sanitation and hygiene projects for children and families around the World. He hopes to raise over £1200 to pay for a deep well and hand pump for a school.

Charlie is already booked to do the first year 9 assembly when he starts back in September.  His blog, pictures and experiences from this unique adventure will make for a very interesting story for years to come.