Well done Alex!

CF Trust fundraiser Alex Crossland was the fastest on two wheels at the Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity on Sunday 28 June.

The scenic ride ending up in the picturesque seaside town of Hove in East Sussex was organised on behalf of several charities, including Norwood, The Down’s Syndrome Association, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Heart’s Have a Heart appeal. More than 1,600 cyclists got in gear to raise £300,000.

The fastest rider was 18 year old Alex from Haynes near Bedford, who completed the 60 mile route from Esher in three hours and 10 minutes. Alex, who was sponsored by Virgin Active, was riding on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in memory of his older sister Victoria, who suffered from the condition and died last year at the age of 23.

He said he enjoyed the ride, particularly the first half, but added: “Bedfordshire doesn’t have a lot of hills so Devil’s Dyke was a nightmare.” The former Bedford School pupil, who lost about four stone during his eight-month training, is now set to raise an incredible £1,500.

Riders chose from three different routes this year: a 60 mile ride from Esher College in Surrey; a gentler 30 mile ride beginning at Haywards Heath in West Sussex; and a new 60 mile Hove to Hove circular route, starting and finishing on Kings Lawns at the bottom of Grand Avenue. They enjoyed the blazing sunshine and were refreshed by the ample food and drink provided by the organisers along the route to help them cope with the tough cycling challenge.

The event was endorsed by well-known personalities, including Olympic cycling gold medallists Rebecca Romero and Bradley Wiggins, TV presenter Fern Britton and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.