The Merlin MS Centre in St. Austell is the only therapy centre for people with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions in the county. Cornwall has the highest rate of MS  in mainland Britain. Unfortunately, they receive no Government funding so are reliant on the local community to raise funds. Their annual operational costs are now £374,000 and last year they subsidised nearly £100,000 worth of therapy services, including physiotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Living with MS or any neurological condition presents daily challenges.

The Challenge........Cycling London to Paris 20th - 23rd July 2016

The 299 mile 4 day route will take myself and Mark Heffer from London, through the glorious Surrey and Kent countryside and to the ferry from Dover to Calais. Once 'en France' we will cycle along quiet country lanes, through traditional market towns with views of the rolling green hills of Northern France and, after several long days in the saddle, arrive in Paris along the iconicChamps-Élysées to the Eiffel Tower. 

Day 1 – Kent to Dover. Ferry to Calais. Distance – 73 miles

Day 2 – Cycle to Arras through charming villages and along quiet country lanes. Distance – 80 miles

Day 3 – Cycle to Compiegne passing numerous WWI memorials and monuments through the Region of the Somme. Distance – 74 miles

Day 4 – Cycle to Paris, up the Champs-Élysées, round the Arc de Triomphe and finish overlooking the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero Gardens. Distance – 68 miles.

Training and Preparation

Since the Spring of 2015 I have been regularly out on my bike tackling some of the best (most painful) hills Devon and Cornwall have to offer.

To focus our minds and bodies on our Gallic odyssey in July, Mark and I will be taking on, over the next few months, some of the most challenging cycling events the UK has to offer.........

April 2016 - Tour of Pembrokeshire (102 miles and 10,379 ft of climbing)

May 2016 - Cardiff Velothon (106 miles and 10,000 ft of climbing)

June 2016 - Dartmoor Classic (107 miles and 10,090 ft of climbing)

July 2016 - Paris............................................................................................!

Both Mark and myself are very like minded in our endeavours. We push each other but it is not so serious that we don't enjoy the experience. 

Here's to an amazing experience and promoting our causes.

Roll on July!!!!! 

Thanks again for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Andrew

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