The Challenge

In September 2026 the 40tude peloton will be taking on our Slovenia Cycle Challenge, riding up to 482km in just 3½ days.

Their route will include the Vršič Pass (one of, if not the most famous road cycling climbs in Slovenia), as well as the trail of the Pro cyclists, following the 2022 Giro d'Italia route along the world-renowned Soča Valley and taking on Kolovrat.

Why are they doing this? To raise awareness of colon (bowel) cancer, as well as funds to enable more people to get tested from an earlier age.

The Cause

40tude is a small but effective charity championing the early detection of colon cancer. So far we have raised £2.7 million to raise awareness and fund ground-breaking programmes already transforming the early detection and treatment of this disease.

Colon cancer is the number one cancer killer of non-smokers in the UK. There are 120 new cases and 50 lives lost every day. It affects both men and women.

This doesn’t have to be the case however, as colon cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat if it is detected early. 90% of patients survive Stage 1, however only 10% survive Stage 4.

Alarmingly however, colon cancer is on the rise in younger people. In the UK incidence rates have increased by 22% since the 1990s, the highest percentage increase in Europe.

40tude aims to raise awareness of colon cancer and the importance of reporting any symptoms as well as getting tested regularly, ideally from the age of 45, as early diagnosis saves lives.

Funds raised

Your funds will support 40tude’s Half:Time Test Campaign, increasing awareness and enabling more people to get tested from the age of 45 (ie. the mid-point or 'Half:Time' of life).

It’s really easy to get tested: FIT is a simple test that can be done at home. You collect a small amount of poo and then post the sample to a laboratory for analysis in the pack provided. Don’t put it off!

For this exciting new campaign 40tude has partnered with Selph, a well-regarded provider of at-home tests. It’s easy to buy a qFIT (high-sensitivity 'poo test') via Selph's website - go to www.selph.co.uk/tests/q-fit-bowel-cancer-test

40tude is working with a number of organisations which are offering their employees the opportunity to take a qFIT test from the age of 45, ahead of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme which starts from 50. The funds raised by our Slovenia peloton will be carefully directed to helping to expand our Half:Time Test initiative, enabling more people to get tested for this treatable type of cancer.

If you can make a donation it would be hugely appreciated. The most important thing we encourage you to do however is to get yourself tested regularly for colon cancer, and for your loved ones to do the same.

And if you would like to find out more about how you could adopt our initiative in your organisation, please contact Kate on kate@40tude.org.uk

Together we can prevent more families from being affected by colon cancer.