On Sunday 1st March at 4am, a team of cyclists will be setting off from North Beverley Medical Centre off Pighill Lane, Woodhall Way, Beverley opposite Molescroft Pavilion to complete 100 laps (4km / lap), 400km or circa 250 miles in 16 hours finishing around 8pm Sunday night.
Pat Howdle, who has a history of competing at the highest level including the 1984 Winter Olympics (Sarajevo), albeit a few years older now, has set his sights on raising awareness and money for MND Cure Finders inspired by Rob Burrows and locally Peter Delaney's story and dedication to the cause, having lost his wife to the condition.
Pat, who people will know as he puts them through their paces at Beverley Leisure Centre, has a team of cyclists to support him from the Fire Service. Pat commented, " I have always been up for a challenge, when I heard about MND through Rob Burrows and Kevin Sinfield's challenges, along with Pete's 2024 ride when he cycled the length of Britain and his challenge in May to cycle the coastline of Ireland, I had to do something to help".
With the support from Ian Pollard at TMX, who helped with the kit and Tee Shirts, we will look good as we cycle, each lap 4km from the N.B.M.C opposite the Molescroft Pavilion, in an anticlockwise direction up to Molescroft, down to the North Bar traffic lights and back along Manor road at least 100 times.
Endurance cycling , especially distances over 200 miles is a powerful test of resilience, strategy, and unity. The Eight riders Pat and his seven support riders must manage pacing, nutrition, hydration, and mental strength while supporting one another through fatigue and changing conditions throughout the day. This challenge is designed to show how teamwork can push human limits and by setting targets and goals, supporting each other to deliver for a charity brings an even deeper purpose to the road event, through trust, communication, and shared determination, turns individual effort into collective achievement.
Pat said, "supporting Motor Neurone Disease (MND), and Peter, is special, and a 250-mile ride becomes more than a sporting milestone. MND progressively affects the nerves controlling movement, impacting thousands of families. Fundraising through endurance cycling raises vital awareness and finances research, care, and support services.
The physical challenge symbolises solidarity with those facing daily battles far tougher than any climb. Every mile completed represents hope, action, and community commitment to improving lives and accelerating progress toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
