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Brussels-Charleroi-Brussels: Conquering the Grand Départ …Again!

I’m still trying to process the scenes from the 2019 Tour de France Grand Départ Classic in Belgium. The route, Brussels-Charleroi-Brussels (192km), was always going to be tough, including those brutal Belgian bergs like the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen.

But nothing could have prepared the cyclists for the heat. We faced an unbelievable challenge: riding the 120-mile stage a week before the pros, in temperatures that hit a staggering 48 degrees Celsius!

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Brussels-Charleroi-Brussels: Conquering the Grand Départ (Until Waterloo) in 48°C Heat!

The Belgian Battle: Extreme Heat and Endurance

This was my second time tackling the Tour’s opening stage for Prostate Cancer UK, and while I haven’t “banged on about it” this time, the cause remains critical: 1 in 8 men will still get prostate cancer in their lifetime. I continue to raise both AWARENESS and FUNDS for this cause close to my heart.

The team at Prostate Cancer UK announce that we officially surpassed last year’s fundraising total, as we’ve so far raised an AMAZING £322,503!! by the most selfless bunch of superstars I have ever met!

The Ride: A Godsend and a Breaking Point

We had to make last-minute tweaks to our plans just to cope with the extreme heat on the Saturday ride. Fountains in roundabouts and locals blasting us with hoses were a godsend, providing brief moments of relief from the brutal sun.

The heat, however, was relentless. It got me at the very end. After riding for the previous 10 miles with crippling cramps in both legs, I eventually had to stop at the final checkpoint –Waterloo. I spent a desperate 15 minutes trying to stand up and get back on the bike, but the extreme conditions proved too much.

Thank you to my roommate, Andrew, who made me see sense despite my desperation to carry on, and to Brian Jukes for the encouragement along the way.

The True Victory: £9,300 and a Life Saved

The journey has been epic, but the outcome is the true victory. In just 14 months, through the 2018 ride, the 2019 Belgian challenge, and the continuous support from my local pool league, I have raised over £9,300 for Prostate Cancer UK.

But the most significant result came not from a fundraising total, but from a conversation:

“One guy diagnosed early and in treatment due to my pestering, that’ll do.”

That single outcome is what all the pain, the cramp, and the 48°C heat were for. It proves that raising awareness is just as vital as raising funds. Thank you all so much for your support. It was your love and encouragement that got me around those epic distances.

Thanks,

John xx