Pedalling in Pink
Eight cyclists from Chess Valley RFC set off on 255 mile journey to the Stade Jean-Bouin in honour of club's 25th anniversary
On 3rd June eight lyra-clad middle-aged men from Chess Valley RFC, assisted by five support crew, will set out from their home ground at Croxley Guild of Sport, Rickmansworth, to cycle to the Stade Jean-Bouin, the Paris home of Stade Francais Rugby.
In celebration of the end of their 25th anniversary season, they will visit 25 rugby clubs en-route, 19 in England and six in France, covering 255 miles over three days of cycling.
In 1996 Chess Valley RFC’s founder members decided on bottle green with pink as the club colours, the kit that the 1st XV players are sporting for this anniversary season.
So thinking pink, Stade Francais with their pink jerseys became the natural destination, the pink clad cyclists arriving when the Parisians host Brive on the evening of 5th June in their final Top14 game of the season.
In training, they have already exceeded their initial £10,000 target, with funds being equally divided between three causes connected to the riders, Chess Valley RFC and rugby in general.
They are supporting Cure Parkinson’s as one of the cyclists works tirelessly on their behalf as CEO and Parkinson’s has touched the families of other riders.
With police officers among the riders, they are also supporting The Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation in memory of East Grinstead RFC’s coach and Met Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, killed on duty in 2020. They will visit Matt's home club on their journey.
Whizz-Kidz is their other charity funded. One of the cyclists, Stuart Miles, got involved after coaching rugby at a school for disabled children where he saw the life changing mobility of a boy with a cool wheelchair. Stu has raised over £50,000 in five years for Whizz-Kidz.
The cyclists are: Andy Smith, Brad Hallam, Brian Reilly, Mike Williams, Paddy Hughes, Stu Lemon, Stu Miles and Will Cook. Their support team includes: Doug Wotherspoon, Paul Morgan, Richard Bowden, Richard Browne and Richard Sidley
Stops on the ride from Chess Valley RFC will include: Ruislip RFC, Ealing Trailfinders RFC, London Welsh RFC, London Scottish FC, Richmond FC’ Twickenham Stadium, Harlequins FC, Thamesians RFC, Teddington RFC, Met Police RFC, Esher RFC, Cobham RFC, Dorking RFC, East Grinstead RFC, Haywards Heath RFC, Ditchling RFC, Hove RFC, Dieppe University Club Rugby, RC Union Sportive Forges Les Aux, Beauvais RC, Arlequins XV Beauvais, MLSGP Rugby (Poissy), Rugby Club Versailles and Stade Francais.
If you would like to help please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chessvalleyvelos
