On 10 September this year, a group of 18 middle-aged (and, until recently, mostly non-) cyclists will set off from Biarritz on the Atlantic coast of France to cycle to Argelès sur Mer on the Mediterranean – through the Pyrenees. The group includes a number of current or former parents (Rupert Boissier, Geoff Smailes and Franca & James Turner) of pupils in the school (Tom and Ben Boissier, Benedict Smailes and William Turner).
This is not just another long-distance cycle ride – although, at over 700km (435 miles) it certainly qualifies as that. It also involves some major-league climbs, including several of the most famous from the Tour de France, totalling over 13.5km (well over 8 miles) in vertical ascent. To put that in perspective, that’s over 1½ times the height of Everest. And all to be completed in just 5½ days!
Needless to say, we have been putting in some serious miles to train for this, at the cost of personal dignity (think Lycra!) and family life. You can read more about those of us taking part and the challenge, which we have taken on at our Blog site. (The costs of the ride are being borne by the riders.)
Why are we putting ourselves through this? The answer is that we are cycling Coast to Coast for Cameron. Cameron Bespolka was a lovely, quirky teenager from Winchester, who cruelly died in a skiing accident three years ago, aged just 16. Cameron had a passion for wildlife and conservation in general and birding in particular.
In his memory, his parents (Corinne and Kevin) have set up the Cameron Bespolka Trust, a charity devoted to introducing young people to nature. With all the administrative costs of the charity covered by the family, every pound donated goes straight to the work that it carries out – which, as you will see from its website, is already very impressive for such a young charity. The particular focus of fundraising this year is Cameron’s Cottage, destined to be a place where young people can experience nature at first hand.