Tour de Force challenge for Mells cyclist

RICH Maggs of Mells will be taking up the challenge of a lifetime when he participates in the Tour de Force.  

Commencing in Yorkshire on 28th June this year,  Rich will do all 21 stages of the Tour de France staying seven days ahead of the professionals and finishing approximately 3,500km later on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Burning on average 7,000 calories a day, the stages range from nine flat stages, hilly stages and six days in the mountains; one of which is cycling from Pau to the summit finish of Hautacam, conquering the legendary 2,115m Col du Tourmalet climb en route.

Rich has paid for all his travel and accommodation expenses and has pledged to raise money for the Tour De Force charity, the William Wates Memorial Trust, whose mission is to help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence and fulfill their potential.  This is achieved by giving grants to charities that engage young people through sport, arts and education.  Rich hopes to raise £2,400 for the charity and donations can be made on www.bmycharity.com/richmaggs

Rich is a keen cyclist and has participated in road races and sportives such as Paris to Roubiax, Tour of Flanders, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Milan to St Remo riding some 183 miles in a day.  However, the Tour de Force will be a massive challenge as it will require stamina to cycle circa 100 miles a day, every day for three weeks with one rest day per week.

Rich said, “I really fancy the challenge that the Tour de Force will bring and it’s also a great charity to raise money for.  The training has been difficult because of the weather but is going well and I’m looking forward to getting underway on the 27th June.”