City workers Paul Meyers, 43, from Loughton, David Shaw, 43,
from Bexleyheath, Justine Smeal, 35, from London, and Lee Woodyard,
24 from Dartford, can usually be found at global asset management
firm BlackRock, in Throgmorton Avenue in the heart of the city. But
they will be switching calculators for carbon fibre and their suits
will be replaced by full Lycra, when they jet off to the US later
this week. The quad will cycle 3,200 miles from the firm's San
Francisco office to their New York base in just 13 days, to raise
money for The Prostate Cancer Charity.
The gruelling US ride, will see the city workers clocking up
between 250 to 300 miles per day in their bid to reach the Big
Apple. The ride looks set to be the toughest challenge yet for
Paul, David, Justine and Lee, who are all keen riders. To meet the
challenge they will be riding unsupported in relay with one rider
on the road at a time, with the three other team mates following in
an RV. The team will be relying solely on each other for driving,
navigation, and bike repairs.
Triple Olympic Medallist and Double World Champion cyclist, Rob
Hayles, has backed the brave quad and had this special message for
them as they make last minute preparations for their epic charity
cycle ride: "I wish Paul, Lee, Justine and David all the very best
of luck on their cycling challenge for The Prostate Cancer Charity.
I'm used to riding with a full support team but these guys will be
doing it all on their own, so I'm hoping they're all skilled in
sports massage, as I think they might need it after the end of each
punishing day clocking up the miles! Joking aside, riding from San
Francisco to New York is no small feat, so hats off to them for
taking to two wheels to raise funds for such a great cause. I only
wish I could be there with them."
The extreme cycling challenge is the final fundraising feat for
BlackRock, who picked The Prostate Cancer Charity as their Charity
of the Year. Since the partnership began last June, employees at
the asset management firm have raised more than £200,000 through a
variety of events. The team hope this final challenge will increase
the figure to a record breaking £230,000.
Paul Meyers, Director, Business Operations at BlackRock said:
"The idea for the US ride came about over a coffee machine
conversation that David and Lee were having, and with a glint of
madness in the eyes a team was put together. After many months of
planning, it's now only days before we begin our epic journey. None
of us know how we will feel when we finish but if we can raise some
money for a great cause, that's enough to keep me in the
saddle."
The Prostate Cancer Charity's Director of Fundraising, Mark
Bishop said: "BlackRock have truly embraced the partnership with us
and have gone over and beyond the call of duty with their
fundraising efforts. They have raised an incredible amount of money
for the Charity - more than any other group in the UK. We are
hugely grateful to all of BlackRock's employees who have got
involved, especially Paul, David, Justine and Lee who are going to
extraordinary lengths to support us. We wish them all the best of
luck, just thinking about their ride makes me feel tired!"
To sponsor the BlackRock four and help raise money for The
Prostate Cancer Charity, visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BlackRockCyclesAmericaSeptember2011