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!

The hardest worker at IMEX

Who worked the hardest at the last IMEX fair in Frankfurt? Who do you think? I strolled past the stand of Cycle Europe 2008 a few times and for two days in a row I was confronted with a strapping young man who was riding his bum off on a bike. His name has an Italian ring to it but I assure you he’s pure Scottish. He has the body of a young muscular lion and according to my psychological instinct he has a heart of gold. On the last day of the fair I went to ask him how far he’d actually got. Panting and sweaty he told me: ‘I… I… pffeew… think I’m in the neighbourhood of Amsterdam.’

In those two days he’d travelled 140 km. And all this for charity! Marco Barcella works for a charity organisation and in June he’s going to cycle in total a distance of 4800 km through 9 countries in 13 weeks, all this by initiative of Jon Bradshaw – also an Adonis type but a good cyclist too and he’s the Sales Manager of IMEX. The aim of this grueling physical challenge is to raise 20,000 pounds for stroke charities throughout Europe that fund the physical and mental rehabilitation of younger stroke victims. I told Jon, because he’s the leader, that he has to come to Antwerp after his visit to Amsterdam, to come and pick up another little cycling wonder, my Editorial Officer Steven Kins (see picture on the right). Jon, you have gained a new sponsor: HQ Magazine! And to whoever's reading this: go to the Cycle Europe website, get out your money and donate.