The challenge
This month, our CEO, Tony Summers will be embarking on another mammoth cycling challenge, 1,200km across France. On 21st August Tony and his eldest son, Sioni, will be tackling the 3-day Paris-Brest-Paris cycle ride, known as the longest, continuously running, endurance cycling event in the world.
Tony will be one of around 8,000 participants taking on the challenge, as he once again aims to raise vital funds for mental health charity, Young Minds. Last August, Tony successfully completed 1,500km in the London-Edinburgh-London cycling event and raised over £1,500 for the charity.
From Triathlons to Cycling
A self-confessed adrenaline junkie, Tony completed iron man triathlons in his late forties, and moved onto cycling events after sustaining a knee injury which curtailed his running. Since then Tony has focused his obsession for endurance challenges on cycling, competing in age group cycling championships and long-distance cycling challenges. However, this latest challenge is towards the more extreme end of his adventures!
Tony Summers, CEO of Socitm Advisory comments “this is much more of a test of endurance and stamina than a race, however it still has to be completed within 84 hours! So, as a timed challenge and with the scale of this event, the logistics will be as much of a challenge as the distance cycling.
“Finding time to sleep and competing with 8,000 participants all trying to find sleeping accommodation will be difficult, and as a vegetarian and my son a vegan, we are expecting the food available to be a challenge too!”.
Young Minds
The ride, which will see Tony and Sioni travel from Paris out towards the coast at Brest and back to Paris, is renowned for its festival atmosphere.
Tony says, “We’re excited about what the ride will bring. We’ve heard it’s a real festival atmosphere, with spectators and well-wishers lining the streets and putting out food and water, but we’re doing this to raise vital funds for Young Minds.”
Young Minds is a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.
To sponsor Tony, visit his Justgiving page here.
