The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A Spalding cyclist is getting ready to ride up hill and down dale on the Yorkshire stretch of this year’s Tour de France for charity.
Terry Roberts decided to climb into the saddle and start cycling just a few months ago after a chance meeting with an old school friend on the market.
The pair settled on the 120-mile challenge to complete the leg of the legendary Tour de France, which starts in Leeds in July.
Terry, who lives in Pennygate, said: “I turned 50 last year and I decided I wanted to do something that made a difference.
“Over the years we all lose people to cancer and a lot of people do fundraising for research.
“Things move so quickly and people who died from cancer just a couple of years could probably survive if they were diagnosed now.
“But as well as that, there are charities like Macmillan Cancer Support which does so much good work supporting sufferers and their families.
“As I just turned 50 I just wanted to raise funds for Macmillan just as a way of doing something nice.”
Terry is now regularly getting on his bike and cycling up to 60 miles, several times a week to get ready for the challenge – which will take place on terrain quite different to what he is used to around south Lincolnshire.
But Terry is hoping the hills might help him – a little at least.
He said: “At least on the route we will be taking there will be some downhill stretches as well as uphill.
“Round here it is just all flat and it always seems to be windy – and head wind on the way home.
“Hopefully the downhill stretches will help a little bit.”
The route the charity ride will take follows the same route as the Tour de France, which starts the following day on July 5.
It starts in Leeds and takes riders through the Yorkshire dales before ending in Harrogate.
Terry has to reach a minimum of £500 sponsorship to take part, but he hoping to raise at least £1,000.
Anyone who wishes to sponsor him can do so at www.justgiving.com/Terry-Roberts2.
