Bath cyclist puts pedal power to the test in 1,000-mile challenge

A cyclist from Bath is aiming to ride 1,000 miles before the end of January to raise money for dementia research.

Duncan Hobday has signed up for Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Cycling Down Dementia challenge.

Cycling Down Dementia challenges participants to ride either 300 (Pioneer) or 1,000 (Epic) miles during the winter and raise £150 to help fund pioneering dementia research.

It’s not the first time the 34-year-old has taken on a cycling challenge for the UK’s leading dementia research charity.

Duncan embarked on a gruelling fundraiser last year as part of a group challenge organised by his employer Dyson, helping the team raise more than £10,000.

He rode 91 miles through four epic mountain passes in the French Alps and was spurred on by thoughts of his father-in-law who has early-onset Alzheimer’s.

The patent attorney said:

“I loved doing the cycling challenge last year. The knowledge that I was doing it for a fantastic cause really helped keep me going.

“I’m delighted to be taking on another cycling challenge for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Cycling Down Dementia is a great idea and if you are thinking of joining me in the challenge you should sign up today.

“There are no words to describe the amazing feeling once you cross that finishing line. It feels a long way off but I’m really looking forward to reaching 1,000 miles.”

To sponsor Duncan go to https://cycling-down-dementia-the-epic-challenge-1000-miles.everydayhero.com/uk/duncan-does-the-miles

There is still time to sign up for Cycling Down Dementia. All cyclists have to do to take part is sign up at www.cyclingdowndementia.org, choose either the Pioneer or Epic challenge, connect their tracking app such as Strava or MapMyFitness and get on their bikes. Participants can clock up the miles on the road or on an indoor bike.

Cyclists can compare their distances with others interactively through the website for extra motivation and keep track of leaderboards. Participants can also join forces and compete in teams, so groups of friends and work colleagues and members of cycling clubs can compete for the top spot.

Whether it takes three days, three weeks or three months, the aim is to complete the 300 or 1,000-mile distance by the end of January 2018. Anyone who raises more than £250 will receive a free #TeamARUK cycle jersey.

Participants are being encouraged to share their progress on social media using the hashtag #CyclingDownDementia. They can also join the Cycling Down Dementia community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/cyclingdowndementia

Kenneth Foreman, Senior Sporting Events Manager for Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“We are delighted Duncan has signed up for Cycling Down Dementia and hopefully his experience last year will help him complete the 1,000 miles.

“There are more than 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia and this number is set to rise. That is why it’s so important that we work together to end the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia. The vital funds raised by the hundreds of people taking part in Cycling Down Dementia will power world-class dementia research projects helping to shape our understanding of the condition and open the door to new treatments.”

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK, or to find out more about fundraising for the charity, call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org