Simon Burbidge, a 71-year-old retired business consultant, and his wife Kathy, aged 65, are gearing up for an impressive 700-mile cycling journey along the south-west coast of England and the north-west coast of France as part of the Tour de Manche route. The couple, who live in Wantage, is undertaking this adventure to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK, having already gathered £950 toward their £1,000 goal. Their journey begins on June 21.
The idea for this challenge emerged following Mr. Burbidge’s battle with prostate cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2014. After undergoing radiotherapy and subsequent treatment in 2017, he has been cancer-free, despite enduring further health struggles, including a broken femur. Inspired by a friend’s suggestion, he decided to use the cycling adventure to help raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, with one in eight men diagnosed in their lifetimes. Tragically, every 45 minutes, a man dies from the disease in the country. The Burbidges aim to contribute to advancements in early diagnosis and more precise treatments through their fundraising efforts.
Their journey will begin from Marchwood, near Southampton, close to where their son lives. From there, they’ll take a ferry from Poole to Normandy, France. Their French route includes cycling down the picturesque north-west coast of Normandy and Brittany to Roscoff. En route, they’ll explore 230km of scenic greenways passing through the Cotentin Peninsula, the Cotentin and Bessin Regional Nature Park, Mortain waterfalls, the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel UNESCO World Heritage site, and the historic port town of St Malo.
After reaching Roscoff, the couple will return to Plymouth by ferry to commence the English leg of their journey. This segment of the ride incorporates various on-road routes through quaint lanes and traffic-free areas with stops at Okehampton, Axminster, Exeter, Seaton, Dorchester, Studland, and Bournemouth, before concluding back at Marchwood.
Riding without support, the couple meticulously pre-planned all their accommodations and ferry travel to adhere strictly to their schedule. They hope to inspire others to take on similar challenges and encourage support for their chosen cause. Contributions to their charity ride can be made through their fundraising link: https://bit.ly/3pDAvtL.
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