Two British gentleman are cycling from the UK to Paris on penny farthings.
When Matt Richardson was diagnosed with tonsil and lymph node cancer, he was shocked.
It was touch and go for a while, which led the 57-year-old from Oxfordshire to consider how to make the most of his life – including indulging in his passions.
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A cycling fan, he first rode a penny farthing on his 50th birthday and loved it.
When he jumped back on the bike, he decided to use the hobby for good.
Enlisting his good friend, Bill Pollard, the pair planned out a five-day journey to cycle for charity.
They left Henley on Saturday (8 June) and will arrive in Paris on Wednesday (12 June) – having first touched down in France yesterday (10 June).
“It has been a much tougher ride than originally anticipated, particularly the 56 miles yesterday over the South Downs to Newhaven,” Matt told Need To Know.
“We’re genuinely overawed by the kindness and generosity of all those we’ve met since we began riding on Saturday.
“They have made it so much easier to remain motivated.
“We’d like to thank so many people individually; and we will when we’ve finished the ride.
“Lastly and most importantly we’d like to add:
“Toutes les dames disent ‘Ooooh!’
“Tous les messieurs disent ‘Merveilleux!’”
The pair are raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support with their JustGiving page having reached nearly £15,000 of their £50,000 target so far.
And they are travelling in style – documenting the journey, and their fabulous outfits, on social media.
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