Gloucester Rugby Players Tackle 350-Mile Cycle for MND Cure
Gloucester Rugby players are gearing up for a gruelling 350-mile (563.27km) cycling challenge in a bid to raise awareness and funds for motor neurone disease (MND). The "4Ed Cycle: Ride Against Time" will see the players, including club legend Billy Twelvetrees, attempt to complete the mammoth journey in just 24 hours, starting from Kingsholm Stadium on Monday at 08:00 BST.
The initiative, inspired by former Gloucester Rugby player Ed Slater's MND diagnosis in 2021, first took place over three days in summer 2022. This year's single-day format underscores the urgency for a cure for MND, a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
"It really hit my wife and I as soon as we heard about Ed's terrible news," said Twelvetrees. "It's drastically sad, we were angry. We all want to help as friends and teammates, and that's what I'm here to do."
The cycling route will take the riders through a challenging itinerary, including a stop at Twickenham Stadium via Milton Keynes RFC before circling back to their starting point. Twelvetrees will be joined by former teammates and friends, such as Lewis Ludlow, Jim Hamilton, and Fraser Balmain, for sections of the journey.
The riders are aiming for an average speed of 17mph to hit all the checkpoints within the 24-hour timeframe. The 4Ed Cycle has already raised over £24,000 of its £74,500 target, a testament to the rugby community's dedication to supporting Slater and raising awareness for MND research.
Slater, who now relies on a powered wheelchair and speech recognition software, is unable to participate in the cycle this year. However, he has been vocal in his support for the challenge, often reminiscing about his own three-day adventure in 2022. Ludlow, who describes Slater as having "taken on the mantle" of raising MND awareness, acknowledged the significance of Slater's impact: "There's no better reality check than the fact that Ed started us off last time, led us round and did the whole thing. Sadly now, because of his condition, he's where he's at. But his spirit is still the same, his laugh, jokes and humour are still the same, and that'll get us through it."
The money raised from the cycling challenge will be distributed among various MND foundations and charities. The event serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating effects of MND, the need for further research, and the unwavering support of the rugby community in the fight for a cure.
