As a fundraiser for Leiomyosarcoma Research UK I’m riding my 1300GS motorcycle solo from London to Helsinki to attend a special party, and then back to London, having completed a lap of the Baltic sea. 23/06/25-04/07/25.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapthebaltic/

My old friend, biking wingman and film colleague @jonathan_clabburn tragically lost his lovely architect partner Laura to an aggressive cancer, Leiomyosarcoma, at the end of last year. Very little is known about it in comparison with other more common cancers. It’s so rare that we haven’t been able to find out enough about it, so expensive urgent research is needed. Jono is now bringing up their son solo, but surrounded by the love of Laura’s family, at their home in Helsinki, Finland. Jono hails from Melbourne, Australia - so it took him a few years to acclimatise to the cold dark winter months of course! At the end of June ’25, in the midnight sun, he’s throwing a celebration/thanksgiving party at a modest summerhouse east of Helsinki in memory of his partner and son’s Mum, Laura.

I’ve ridden bikes all over the world since I shared a Yam DT60 with my brothers in Colorado US in the 70s. Clocking up many miles, rides have included a memorable trip to Istanbul with @daj1150 and @hayitsdavid, and an epic run down to Marrakesh. Like a proper Aussie, Jono rode his (then) 30 year old Guzzi Lemans with me on that one, with @daj1150 and @i_am_bull_ , some of the snaps from past trips and this one of course will be posted on @lapthebaltic. Riding long distance is a great therapy and leveller, there’s lots of thinking time, tends to pull focus onto the important things … and you meet the best people on the road!

If you feel able to donate that would be fantastic, but we understand not everyone can of course. All funds raised will go straight to the most cutting edge research being undertaken about this particular cancer: Leiomyosarcoma. Please do share this so we can spread the message as far as possible.

God Bless you and rest in peace Laura … and power to both of you Jono.

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Prepping the bike with one week to go ....