Rupert's Ride

Rupert successfully conquered the mountainous 145.5km, tackling Level 1, Level 2 and Highest Level Passes, from Megeve to Morzine-Avoriaz.

Here is what Rupert had to say about this achievement

How did you find time to train for your ride?

I set myself this goal when I started my rehab training from an ACL operation. I knew it was going to be a long haul on the rehab but with the goal of completing the Etape in mind I used this to spur me on. Matt Jolly deserves most of the credit for putting a training programme together for me to build strength in the gym and then coupled with plenty of endurance sessions on the bike I started getting fitter.

Why this charity ride and why now?

I have been raising money for Hospitality Action for some time having cycled from London to Paris two years ago as part of a hospitality team and raising over £10,000 on that occasion. My target for this event was £2,000 which I am pleased to say with the support of some really great people I have smashed. Hospitality Action use their funds to help disadvantaged people from the Hospitality Industry who have fallen on hard times.

What was the hardest point and how did you push past it?

No question it was the last climb. The Col de Joux Plane. 1000m of climbing over a 11.3km distance with the temperature hovering aroind 40 degrees! It was really brutal and I had to cycle 1 km at a time ….. cool down and then carry on.

What next?

Let me catch my breath first!

One piece of advice for our members to push themselves into something challenging?

Do it with a friend or friends – this doesn’t take the pain away but makes it fun…. Train really hard….the investment in training really pays off.