TEAM-MATES BEAT THEIR TARGET ON A 350-MILE MARATHON CYCLE
Ed Slater and Billy Twelvetrees helped to inspire each other during the 24 hours of the 4Ed Cycle challenge in support of charities including Motor Neurone Disease Association and Matt Hampson Foundation.
Former rugby international Billy led a team of cyclists on a 350-mile challenge from Gloucester to Leicester, Milton Keynes and Twickenham before the return to Gloucester, raising awareness and funds for their chosen causes.
“Ed followed us round and kept inspiring us,” Billy told BBC at the end of his 24-hour marathon. “We always had a n eye on the clock to see if we could make it round and thankfully we did.”
The event repeated the route ridden over three days in 2022 when Ed was able to ride alongside Billy and players and friends including Fraser Balmain, Jim Hamilton, Lewis Ludlow and Charlie Sharples who all returned to take part this year.
This time, 4Ed Cycle was named ‘Ride Against Time’ to symbolise the urgency to find a cure for those living with MND and the team reached the finish line three minutes inside their 24-hour target. After battling headwinds on Monday and rain in the evening, they rode through the night to reach Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester live on BBC Breakfast, with Ed there to greet them.
“Before this, Billy said he was inspired by me and the feeling is completely the other way for me,” said Ed. “He didn’t crack once and he has done it like he said he would.”
Fundraising from the challenge will be shared between 4Ed, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Matt Hampson Foundation which also hosts an MND programme at its Get Busy Living Centre in Leicestershire.
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