You might have seen the sad news about Bristol rider Alex, who passed away very suddenly three weeks ago:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/psa-missing-rider-please-help-

His fiancee and a group of his workmates and friends are planning a 200-mile ride in his memory, with sponsorship going to charities that raise awareness of heart conditions in the young. There are 38 people signed up so far, mostly very occasional cyclists for whom that sort of distance is a real challenge.

Have a look at their website and bung them a few quid if you’re feeling flush. I didn’t know Alex personally but it’s hard not to feel impressed by the courage, determination and positivity that his friends are displaying after such a tragic event.

http://www.thekaiserchallenge.com/

Will return to website after payday.

Emotional one that, Good luck Team Pegasus

His fiancee Sarah’s blog is also worth a read.

In other news, I now have a bike (BIG thanks to Frankie Stone) and have managed to not yet fall off….although there is some paintwork missing on my stairs, oil on my leg and a scuffed shin and I have only had it an hour…

http://thekaisercardiomyopathychallenge.tumblr.com/

Me and a mate signed up to ride with them, it’s never anything but tragic to see anyone go, hopefully we can help make a difference to other peoples lives.

Nice one. Keep us posted with how you’re doing.

Another update from Sarah:

– Money raised so far: £7500 (£9155 with gift aid)
– Number of donors: 323
– Celebs supporting: Holly Willoughby; Frankie Sandford; Antony Cotton; Fabrice Muamba; John Barrowman & James Cracknell
– The Cardiomyopathy Association receives no government funding and survives purely on donations.

At this rate we need to find approx 540 more donors so keep spreading the word people! Use this as a chance to reconnect with old friends; speak to distanced relatives or strangers in the street about http://www.thekaiserchallenge.com

THANK YOU xxx

As someone with heart rhythm problems, they’ll have some money off me.

Go Team Pegasus..!

Good stuff Mr North!

More updates from Sarah, it seems her training has started in earnest:

https://thekaisercardiomyopathychallenge.tumblr.com/post/23870577505/what-a-lovely-day-to-start-the-training-off-in

T’was on Jack FM (Bristol) news this morning

Paid Friday and done today.

Worked with Alex a couple of years ago, a great guy and so sad to hear this.

Please support of you can.

We’re up to just shy of £22.5k raised so far. I had my first training ride with Sarah and a few of the others on Sunday, wonderful people, they really inspired me.

Any news from the ride?

Good question! They’ve set off, I know that much:

http://thekaisercardiomyopathychallenge.tumblr.com/