Twice Around the Island to help beat bowel cancer

Last year, one of my best mates was diagnosed with bowel cancer. It was an anxious time, but thankfully he's now doing well after treatment, so this year I wanted to do something epic to celebrate and also raise money to help others affected by bowel cancer in the future. Two of my colleagues at Cancer Research UK are taking on the challenge of the London Marathon but, given my dislike for running and my passion for cycling, this challenge obviously had to involve two wheels. I've always had a 200k ride as a lifetime goal in the back of my mind and decided that this was the moment to make that ambition a reality. I just needed a route. The Isle of Wight is just across the water from me in Bournemouth and I suddenly remembered that one lap is almost exactly 100km, so it was a case of simple maths and duplication to get my 200k route sorted. However, if you ever been to the Isle of Wight, you'll know it is very lumpy and each lap also contains a whopping 1,400m (4,600ft) of elevation gain. This means it'll not only be 28km further than I've ever cycled in one go, but also the hilliest ride I've ever done by some 550m. Given this will be the most brutal one-day ride I've ever attempted, I was going to need a breakaway companion. Step forward my brother and long-distance cycling partner-in-crime, Rob. Previously we've tackled the Jurassic Beast sportive, Spain's highest peak Mount Teide, Bournemouth to Brighton and many other epic rides together, but this one will test the Ward brothers like never before! We're in no doubt the only thing that's going to get us round, and then round again, is the motivation of your support, so please donate generously to the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK. 100% of your donations will go to the Fund, established by the late Dame Deborah James, who died in June 2022 from bowel cancer. The Fund supports clinical trials, pioneering research and awareness raising, as well as other initiatives to combat the disease and support those affected by cancer. Thank you for your generosity 💜