Anthony Turner

The Chief Protagonist asked roped me into this ride late last year. I probably gave this three months thought before I finally committed to the ride before Christmas. Like with anything this big I had to be 100% sure that I was going to do it before committing and there was no chance I would let the team down barring injury.

My main reason for doing it is to see if I can do it, I love challenges and this really is a beautiful challenge. I also had a love affair with bikes when I was a kid and into my early 20’s when I had a lovely Viscount 10 gear racer and the thought of getting back on a bike again was a real incentive. I have now done a few training rides with Paul and the feeling of being on a bike is as good or even better than I remember. Now we get to see the length of the country and with some luck and a good tail wind we will get into Paris under our own power, now that will be something.

It was also looking for a good reason to kick cigarettes again after falling off the wagon early in 2009 after a few years being smoke free. So on new years day 2010 I threw away my pack of cigarettes and put on my running shoes to start the long process of getting back to fitness again.

Lastly, the charities we are raising money for are incredible. If as a team we raise enough money that we make a positive difference to a single persons life then it will be worth it.

-Anthony.