Steven: Cycling Europe for charity

As we reported earlier on these pages, Jon Bradshaw (left) and Marco Barcella (middle) left London on 19th June 2008 on their quest to raise £20,000 (€28,000) for European stroke charities with a goal of cycling 3000 miles (4800km !!!) in 91 days through 9 European countries. After a gruelling 200 km journey from Amsterdam to Antwerp - where Marcel helped them to some champagne and a steak to save them from complete starvation - on Tuesday June 24, they left for Brussels on Thursday. This promised to be an easier ride than their previous one, but without the right directions, they might have ended up in Paris instead, if they had the same luck as two days before. But no worries, I jumped to the rescue, and guided them to Brussels. As the editorial officer of MIM and HeadQuarters Magazine I had read all about their fantastic initiative and was more than happy when they suggested that I could ride along with them when they were in Belgium. I only hoped I wouldn’t add any unnecessary miles to their already enormous route. We got to Brussels in one piece but not without experiencing the friendliness of the bike shop mechanics in Boom... He spent more time in growling that he already had too much work than it would have taken him to release Marco from the squeaking sound in his pedal. What a fun guy... Getting closer to Brussels, the traffic got worse as well. We didn’t need any exfoliating cream afterwards, the heavy trucks and the dust and sand they blasted into our face had the exact same effect, only less pleasant. At the Crowne Plaza Le Palace we received a friendly welcome and the people there were glad they could provide the two heroes with a comfortable bed for the night.
In the evening, MPI held their summer drink in the NH Atlanta Hotel in honour of the two cyclists who were flanked by Willy Devriesere, who now represents STROKE - the Belgian association for stroke victims - but who also suffered from a stroke. Milo Vergucht and his colleagues at MPI had another surprise for us: we could all enter a raffle to predict the score of the Spain vs. Russia game to win some nice prizes. Of course, no one was able to predict the 3-0 but that didn’t matter, after all, the money they collected went straight to the Belgian chapter that helps stroke victims.
And the next day, their journey led Jon and Marco to Aachen, but you can read all about their trip on their website and don’t forget to press the big Donate button!