| Father & Sons Epic Ride |
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Keen cyclist and devoted Dad Neil Smith has enlisted the help of his 2 sons to complete an epic charity cycle ride. Setting off from Rome the Trio aim to return to the UK completing their ride at HMS Victory, Flagship to the FLEET.
Neil wrote the following short report on his plans:-
I have been a keen cyclist for over 20 years and am a member of the UK National Cycle Touring Club. Recently I have completed “Lands End to John O’Groats” and UK “Coast to Coast” cycle tours. Prior to my retirement from the RN this year (30 Nov 10), I was keen to undertake a memorable cycle ride and to combine this event with a fund raising effort to support the work of the RN & RM Charity, which I feel is a fitting end to my career. I recently returned from a 2.5 year married accompanied Assignment to Italy (2005-2007). Whilst in Italy I regularly cycled and toured many beautiful villages and towns and decided that having cycled the roads of Italy and survived that I would one day like to return on a cycling tour. This desire to return to Italy gave me the initial idea of a cycle tour of Italy, which then transpired into riding from Italy to UK. I picked Rome as the starting point because it rhymed with Home (UK) “Rome2Home”. HMS Victory seemed the obvious choice as the destination as we are collecting for the Naval Charity. I am being accompanied on the ride by my 2 sons; Matthew and Anthony. Both enjoy cycling, Matthew recently completed a cycle ride from Northern Spain to join HMS Sutherland in Gibraltar and Anthony has accompanied me on cycle tours of the UK. Anthony also speaks a little Italian, having accompanied my wife and I on our recent Assignment to Italy, which will make ordering the Cappuccino coffees that much easier. We are all ready and eager to start the challenge, especially as the timeline is now measurable in weeks. All the last minute preparations are well under way. Camping equipment bought and sorted, lists of equipment checked, well padded shorts bought and the bikes serviced and all are fitted with new puncture resistant tyres. Physically the preparations are ongoing, with regular rides in excess of 40 miles, which are helping to condition the backsides to the saddles. We are all looking forward to visiting Rome, which is a city we know well, and to the challenge of riding through the notorious Roman traffic to our first nights stop in Citavecchia on the coast. We then head North up the West coast of Italy to Piza and on to Genoa. From Genoa we head West to San Maxime in the South of France, before cycling North through France to Le Havre and the ferry to Portsmouth. We are aware that physically the challenge is going to be demanding and there will be moments of “Who’s idea was this!” However it’s now to late to call it off. All-in-All we’re ready for the off.
If you want to donate to this very worthwhile cause then follow this link:-
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Father & Sons Team Take a Tour Across Europe In Aid of RNRMC Charity
