Three Ton success for Isle of Wight man, against the odds

Against the odds, Ian Gregory, completed his Three Ton Cycle Challenge at the weekend, cycling his third 100 mile cycle ride the Gran Fondo Plymouth, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Massive congratulations to Ian Gregory, who against the odds, cycled a whopping 103 miles, enduring 10,000 feet of climbing over countless hills in Plymouth at the weekend.

Ian was taking part in the Plymouth Gran Fondo in order to raise money for the charity, Prostate Cancer UK.

Against the odds

Ian was taking part in the Plymouth Gran Fondo in order to raise money for the charity, Prostate Cancer UK Twenty years ago Ian was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder. He also has eight damaged discs in his spine, Arthritis and Tempro-mandibular dysfunction disorder.

Despite this, he has cycled over 3,000 miles this year already and intends to do another 300 miles at the end of October.

Ian got in touch this morning and told Gran Fondo Guide.

“Well challenge complete. That was the hardest ride I have ever done.!

“Every bone and muscle in my body is oh so painful and this morning I can hardly move. The pethidine I had to pop yesterday was ridiculous and just the one morphine patch just was not enough, not that I put another one on.!

“There were times I wanted to cry and times I was shouting swear words at the hills I saw before me, but I made it round and I was not last.”

Leaving Royal William Yard at 7.30am, Ian completed the challenge in seven hours and 11 minutes.

He finished by saying, “Our fundraising has now hit £3,300 with more to collect from rockets and rascals. With gift aid this is now £3,700.!

“It’s been a great year fundraising and we hope to find a venue for the 300 mile pedal to finish off and celebrate the year by the 31st October.”

If you’d like to support Ian’s fundraising efforts you can via his Just Giving Page.

Two hundred cyclists took part in a mass ride around Devon and Cornwall

Riders from all over the country took part in 100-mile and 70-mile pedals starting and finishing at Plymouth’s Royal William Yard.

They crossed the Tamar and looped through some tough terrain on both sides of the river.

Steve Toze, of event hosts Rockets and Rascals, said: “It was a great day the event continued to set the benchmark for a tough cycling experience."

“But participants were greeted with stunning views that Devon and Cornwall have to offer. The 100-mile ride was due to be held in May but had to be postponed due to an injury to one of the organisers.

Now recovered, Jim Pascoe of Spike Events said: “Brilliant to welcome more riders to Royal William Yard and fantastic way to end a summer of events here. This would have not have been possible without the support of our local sponsors Murray Volkswagen, the fantastic guys at Torpoint Ferry, Dartmoor Brewery and Burts chips.”

Founder of Gran Fondo Guide, Mark Harding who rode the Gran Fondo route commented "Throughly enjoyed theareas of outstanding beauty we cycled through, especially Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley and the Coastal roads. "It was a tough day out but, some great group riding made it all worth while. Not a lot of flat, it was either up or down!"

"Highlight was getting the Ferry across and riding back to Royal William Yard in a big group. One of the best event HQ's you could ask for. Loved the local specially brewed beer and crisps afterwards."

"Put the Gran Fondo Plymouth down on your Bucket list, you'll love it."