AN intrepid cyclist from Burton embarks on the second of three gruelling rides this weekend — to raise money for a cancer charity.
Ian Leech, from Branston, completed a 150-mile coast-to-coast ride from Whitehaven, in Cumbria, to Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, last weekend, and will be back in the saddle tomorrow for a night-time ride through London.
Mr Leech, who became a trust fundraiser for the Lymphoma Association after losing his daughter, Melissa, to the disease three years ago, will be raising money for the charity and completes his trio of rides when he journeys from London to Paris next month.
He told the Mail: “The coast to coast ride was the hardest thing I’ve ever done on a bike. I did 60 miles on the first day and then at the end of it had to climb a 1,900ft hill to get to my bed and breakfast.
“On the second day it was raining and we were riding straight into a headwind — at one point the wind was so strong I was even having to pedal to go downhill.
“I stopped off near the end and took off my cycling gloves, which were soaking wet, and my hands were literally turning blue.”
Mr Leech will be hoping for better weather tomorrow when he is joined by his daughter Becky for the London Nightrider, a 65-mile circular route through the streets of the capital, starting and finishing at Crystal Palace, south London, and traversing some of the city’s most famous sights.
He said: “Becky and I have been out riding together in the past and she’s been training for Saturday but she’s never done anything like the distance we’ll be doing.
It’s a good challenge for her.” Mr Leech has set a target of raising £2,000 for the Lymphoma Association from the three bike rides, concluding with the London to Paris route, to be held from July 6 to 10.
Anyone who wishes to sponsor him can do so via his website at www.mad4mel.co .uk.
