Wet weather can’t cool Chance to Ride enthusiasm
September 11, 2013
After months of preparations, Michael Vaughan and his band of fundraisers may have hoped for better weather, but even the rain couldn’t dampen spirits as the PruProtect Chance to Ride set off from Leeds on Saturday morning.
With the starting klaxon fired by legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird, the team rode 80 miles to Old Trafford hoping that the second One Day International would not go the same way as the first, which was called off due to rain.
Michael, aching from the demands of the day before, could only grimace as a raw England side were swept away by the Australians in the ODI, before joining Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton at the National Cycling Centre on Monday morning, where the riders even had the chance to watch Team GB practice once they had finished themselves.
Then it was time for something a bit different. The Chance to ride team including Victoria, who had just returned from her honeymoon, then took part in the BMX track at the Velodrome, something she had never previously done because of her racing focus.
Victoria said: “It has been great to come back to the Velodrome to try out the track with everyone. I have just come back from my honeymoon and I am going straight into a 91 mile cycle from Manchester to Birmingham. All the riders and I are geared up in our Lycra ready to go!”
The riders also watched Team GB training at the Velodrome before preparing for the 90 mile Stage Two, which started on Tuesday from Manchester to Birmingham which included a Time Trial Speed challenge.
But all this is just a tip of the iceberg of what’s going on during this very special charity bike ride.
To catch funny videos, great pictures and all the updates, you’ll have to follow @LaureusSport on twitter and like our Facebook page.
Please support lead rider Michael Vaughan by donating to his fundraising efforts. If you donate £25, you will be in with a chance of winning an IWC watch. Click here for more details http://www.laureus.com/michaelvaughanbikeride
