Gregory to ride Mallorca 312 to raise money for Prostate Cancer
Clif Bar and Science in Sport step up sponsors as Gregory aims for to ride 10,000 miles in 2017 for Prostate Cancer
Ian Gregory’s story is pretty darn inspirational. Despite a number of medical and physical problems, last year he cycled over 3,000 miles and raised over £4,700 for Prostate Cancer.
Based on the terrible stories he heard about last year both Ian and his wife and felt they could not give up on the fundraising and have decided to continue this year.
Always one to try to do better, at least that is what his school report always said. he has come up with some epic rides including a virtually solo 1612 mile Mini Tour De France.
Not only has he set a goal of some 10'000 miles this year to pedal, a figure that only the top 10-15% of avid cyclists seem to manage, but he will be attempting to cycle the Mallorca 312, Wednesday 1st March, at 195 mile route over the mountains and around the coast of the island of Mallorca.
The first ever Rockets & Rascals Trans Kernow, and epic 240 mile plus ride from Plymouth to St Ives to Falmouth to Bude and then back to Plymouth with no outside help or assistance and without using the A30 or A38, all to be completed in some 42 hrs, including sleep!
Then in June in he will once again take part in the Grand Depart Classic, the 2nd Stage of the 2017 Tour De France from Dusseldorf to Liege with the Prostate Cancer UK Cycling Team, however it have a slight twist. He will cycle to the start in Dusseldorf from The Prostate Cancer UK London office via Harwich to the Hook of Holland, Amsterdam and Arnhem. Once the grand depart has been completed he will carry on to ride the first six stages of the Tour De France from Belgium into Luxembourg and then in to France as far south as Vesoul before heading north in to Paris and my own celebration cycle around the Arc De Triomphe before heading for Rouen, Caen and Cherbourg where i will cross the channel back to Portsmouth and finish my ride back at the Prostate Cancer UK office below the Shard in London.
A total of 1612 miles over 14-18 days, or quicker if his disabilities allow, taking in many famous sites on route.
On top of the rides he will once again be at various festivals, shows and stores around the Island (Isle of Wight) pedalling for Prostate Cancer on the turbo trainer, helping to raise awareness, answer any questions and concerns where he can and raising funds we hope to beat last year’s target.
Gregory is on the lookout for further sponsorship from local businesses on the Island, any of the main cycling names, publications and cycling stores/suppliers where he can help promote and share any offers or deals they may have to offer.
Mallorca 312 Challenge LIVE on Gran Fondo Guide - Wed 1st March
We’re doing our bit to help motivate, encourage and support Ian whilst he attempts to ride 0,000 miles and raise much needed funds for Prostate Cancer.
Ian said to us in a phone interview “Part of my cycling challenges for this year is the Mallorca 312, 2015 route that I will be attempting on Wednesday 1st March. Its 194 miles around the perimeter of the island of Mallorca and almost some 20'000ft of climbing, as I’m sure that you are aware of. I have chosen to do the 2015 route as it gives me the chance to see the whole island rather than just the northern mountains as in 2016.
I leave for Mallorca this Friday 24th Feb and will return to the UK on Saturday 4th March. As your aware Mallorca is the preferred location for many of the pro-peloton teams to train during the winter months ahead of the new season, however this year was the first time in 30yrs that the island got hit by snow and as a result some of the teams departed the island early or cancelled training there all together.
Fortunately the weather forecast does not indicate snow at all but it is only around 6 degrees more than the UK.
I will be setting out on Wednesday 1st March from Platja De Muro at 5.30am, (4.30am UK), and setting off on my first challenge. With luck I hope to finish the route around 8.30pm, (7.30pm UK), and will be broadcasting live tracking data throughout the whole ride via my Garmin cycle computer so that my wife, friends and anyone else can keep up to date with exactly where i am though the day. I will also be able to give any live updates on the ride and with luck any online donations that day."
You can follow Ian LIVE on Gran Fondo Guide as we track his progress on Wednesday March 1st.
Show your support for Ian by donating on his JustGiving Page is at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/I-Gregory
Who is Ian why is he taken on the challenge?
Ian Gregory, is a 47 year old business owner in general building/property services. 20 years ago he was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder, along with sciatica due to eight damaged discs in his spine.
Over the past five years his health had deteriorated further suffering with Arthritis and impingement of the AC joint in his right shoulder and Tempro-mandibular dysfunction disorder, (jaw muscle spasm and jaw dislocates).
He’s been registered disabled since 1998, but in 2002 he decided it was time to get on with his life and dominate the illness rather than the illness dominating him, and so he started his own business.
A tribute to Don
A family member, Don Exell, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer back in 2006 however this was all too late. With sheer determination and excellent medical care Don would survive a further four years until he lost his battle on the 11th January 2010.
Don was an enthusiastic person who enjoyed life with his family. He played golf, tennis and bridge and had a wonderful career with British Aerospace, which included some 20 years working on Concorde.
He was born on the 23rd January 1937 in Thornbury and lived subsequently in Tetbury, Chester, France and finally in the Isle of Wight with his wife Sally. He had two sons, Alan and Gary and two grandsons William and James who were his pride and joy.
Stage 1 to Torino
