WESTBURY’S newest town councillor has confessed a case of cycling fever in the run up to his second fundraising ride of the year next month.
Councillor David Anderson, who was elected to the Westbury North ward earlier this year, is now in training for the Prudential RideLondon race in August.
The challenge comes just weeks after he rode 346 miles from Geneva to Monaco over four days in May, in aid of autism charity Hearts and Minds.
This time he will be riding to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
David said, “I’m feeling really confident about this ride as I already have six months’ training under my belt, plus cycling through the Alps! I feel London will be a lot easier so my challenge is to see how fast I can do 100 miles. I’m hoping to do it in around 5.5 hours.
“I chose to raise money for Guide Dogs because, like Hearts and Minds, it’s such a worthy cause and close to so many people’s hearts in Westbury and the surrounding areas.”
The Prudential RideLondon is a 100-mile route through London and Surrey, incorporating much of the London 2012 Olympic cycling route. Taking place on Saturday 1st August, 70,000 cyclists are expected to flock to the capital for the race.
David swapped smoking for cycling last year especially to do the European challenge and says his life has changed since he started training in autumn last year. “I love cycling now,” he said. “I appreciate the countryside we live in as I have more time to take it all in – in a car you just whizz past it all.
“I feel a lot healthier and have a lot more energy to do things with the kids that I couldn’t have done before like running around playing football.
“I’m definitely happy I started cycling. I think you become one with your bike and you get a real buzz from it. When I was waiting for my bike to come back from Monaco it felt like a part of me was missing! It also gives you the opportunity to meet new people from around the country entering into challenges like RideLondon, which is great.
“My cycling has changed massively over the past seven months. At first I was really tired after 25 miles, but as time has gone on I’ve been cycling further and further, faster and faster, stronger and stronger, and now 25 miles feels like a Sunday afternoon ride!
“As far as training I will be doing much the same except I’ll be riding up the White Horse more – Surrey hills aren’t as big as the alps but they’re steep.
“It’s amazing to be able to cycle with my dad. He’s 54 years old and he’s been cycling for years. He gives me some amazing advice about the sport and he’s a qualified bike mechanic so he also gives me hints on keeping my bike on top form. I hate to admit it but he sets the pace when we ride; he’s like a machine. How many other 54 year-olds can say they’ve cycled up Alpe d’Huez?”
You can help David raise more money for Guide Dogs for the Blind by sponsoring him at www.justgiving.com/David-Anderson40, or by emailing him on cllr.david.anderson@gmail.com.
