300 mile bike ride for da Vinci Robot

Last updated 21-Jan-13 16:03

Last month Graham Martin, Managing Director of Orchard Recruitment in Enfield, undertook a gruelling 300 mile London to Paris bike ride in aid of the da Vinci Robot fundraising appeal.

Graham describes his journey; “Having undergoing a robotic assisted procedure in early January 2009 I completed a half marathon in autumn 2009. Guy Webster, Consultant Urologist, then encouraged me to climb a higher mountain and I signed up for a 300 mile 4 day event, cycling from London to Paris in April 2011!

My training commenced 6 month earlier and I spent every other weekend on my bike, plus running 10 miles a week and swimming too! Gosh, I looked trim and felt fantastic. Come the big day I was ready for anything; or so I thought! The route was picturesque, taking in some fabulous villages in Kent and Northern France but the hills! Nobody told me there would be so many hills. I was consistently the slowest member of our 18 strong group that consisted of seasoned club cyclists, a few tri-athletes and a clutch of teenagers all on super light racing bikes! Me, I had a pretty old, but comfortable hybrid bike with full suspension as a result of an ongoing lower back problem.

The route took us through the Somme and we were encouraged to stop and inspect the First World War graves which was a sobering experience. The scenery was stunning and enthused by the positive attitude of many French motorists we pushed on to Paris, arriving in beautiful sunshine after 300 long miles. I managed to raise over £1000 for the da Vinci Robot fundraising appeal and the chance to train and accomplish such a feat will be remembered for many a year. For now, my bike is languishing in the shed and I have my weekends back again; just in time for the summer!”

Please donate to Graham at www.justgiving.com/Graham-Martin-bike.