RAF Pedal Power at its Best
On 1st September 2006 a team of eight Royal Air Force Officers, Senior Non Commissioned Officers and Airmen aged between 20 and 40 from 99 Squadron based at Royal Air Force Base Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, will hang up their uniforms to leave the familiarity of their respective careers and swap them for cycling gear and unknown challenges when they embark on an arduous 2000 mile cycle ride from Royal Air Force Gibraltar back to Brize Norton, UK.
On 1st September three aircraft technicians, two air loadmaster instructors, two engineers and one pilot plus a support team will fly to RAF Gibraltar, the starting point of their expedition.
Officer in Charge, Flying Officer Marcus Eyers from Leigh on Sea, Essex said: “All Royal Air Force personnel are encouraged to regularly take part in personal development and team building exercises. In 2004 a team from 99 Squadron took part in the national 4-compass points race from Lands End to John O’Groats covering 1400 miles in 18 days and raising £10,000 for Leukaemia research in the process.
This year we wanted to do something a little different and even more challenging. We aim to cover the 2000 mile journey in just 20 days.
As well as pushing ourselves to the limit to benefit our personal development and get personnel from different disciplines to work together as a team we also aim to raise money for Cancer Research UK and exceed the current record of £10,000,” Flying Officer Eyers continued.
On 3rd September the team is set to leave Gibraltar to start their 2000 mile journey in the blistering heat of the Mediterranean sun. The route will take them through central Spain past Malaga and Madrid, across the Pyrenees and along the coastal roads in the west of France before getting on board the Folkstone Shuttle to bring them back across the Channel for the last leg of their journey back to Royal Air Force, Brize Norton. Braving all weather conditions the team aims to cycle approximately 100 miles per day to complete the expedition on schedule.
Preparations started in early June. Each member of the team is responsible for a specific task to ensure successful completion. Training is done in between work commitments. “We still have our jobs to do and train whenever time allows preparing ourselves for the arduous physical demands ahead,” explained Flying Officer Eyers.
For further information about the route, the cyclists and to make donations via the secure on-line payment facility, please visit their website on www.ride4research.co.uk. Website created and sponsored by: www.aztec-it.co.uk.
For further information about the event, to arrange live media coverage and for photo opportunities on their return at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire on 20th September please contact Officer in Charge, Flying Officer Marcus Eyers on 07787 514002.
