Issue 469 – Coast to coast for cyclists

A father and son team from Westbury are gearing up to complete a 175km cycling challenge for charity.

Chris Steele and his son Jason will be riding in The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride 2010 this weekend, where they will take on a full road stage of The Tour of Britain. The duo will tackle the challenging 175km coast-to-coast route from Minehead to Teignmouth, taking in dramatic scenery and tough climbs on the way.
It is a cause close to the family as Chris suffered from prostate cancer nearly four years ago. “It was my son’s idea,” explained Chris. “He said, I’m going to do this cycle ride, which made me feel I ought to do something as well – I always said I wanted to put something back in. All his friends said they thought it was too far so I offered to do it with him!”
“I always enjoyed cycling, although this is the first time I’ve got back into it since I’ve been ill.”
Chris works as an electrical contractor in Westbury and the surrounding area, while Jason recently finished his A-levels at Matravers and will be going onto the University of Western England in Bristol. The pair have been training with cycling trips on weekends, and have also been trying to get out during the week as well.
The Tour Ride challenges people to take on part of The Tour of Britain course, a week before the professional race takes place. Aside from the distance, the course covers rolling terrain with long and steep hills in the latter sections.
Anyone who wishes to sponsor Chris and Jason can do so by visiting www.tourride.co.uk, clicking on the “Sponsor a friend” link and entering their names.
The Prostate Cancer Charity was founded by Professor Jonathan Waxman in 1996 in response to the urgent need to increase investment in prostate cancer research and to raise public and political awareness of a long neglected disease. They are now the UK’s leading voluntary organisation working with people affected by prostate cancer.