Here is a brief biography of each of the cyclists taking part in the charity cycle

NEIL WOODGER

When Bill and I first discussed the possibility of cycling 10 countries in 10 days just over a year ago, we thought it would be just two old gits going on a jaunt. We never thought for one moment it would generate the interest and enthusiasm that it has and are now both really looking forward to it.

I will be 50 when doing the 10 in 10 cycle ride. Turning 50 has prompted me to undertake this challenge whilst there is still life in the old dog!! I have for the past 34 years worked as a building contractor running a small family business. I have been married to Karen for 20 years and have three sons. Hopefully by completing this cycle ride it will lead to further challenges in the future or possibly not!!

Below are some pictures showing Neil’s early interest in bike riding

NEIL ASHWOOD

I am currently working as a consultant surgeon in Burton and heard about the cycle from Bill last year. The ride should prove a great challenge and something to look back on as a great achievement.

The aim is to raise as much money for MS as possible.

 

 

KEVIN “GILLY” GILLETT

Hello my name is Kevin Gillett and am known to most as Gilly.  I'm 46 years old and live in Newton Valance with my dog Percy.  I also have an 8 year old son Sam.

My hobbies and interests are; football (Manchester Utd), most sports, keeping fit and do a lot of running. I also have just passed my motorcycle test and recently brought a Harley. Unfortunately I have only got as far as driving round the village. I hope I get a bit further on the 10 in 10 cycle challenge!

I've been a self employed builder for 25 years and have my own building business, K C Gillett building contractor.

My reasons for doing the 10 in 10 challenge is that it's not every day you get to do something like this and it will be something remarkable to remember forever. It's seeing different places, keeping fit, enjoy winding Brownie up and more importantly it's for a good cause. I also need to make sure the lads are well entertained!

STEVE BROWN

Steve Brown - 46 year old survey manager for Marvin & Partners in Passfield. I am married to Betty and we have two children. I still play football, albeit now Veterans league, and coach my son's football team in Liss.

Betty said I should do this ride or I could regret not taking part but as I haven't ridden a road cycle for a number of years now, a few months of training lie ahead!. However, I'm sure it will be a memorable two weeks cycling whilst also raising money for some very worthwhile charities.

To contact us:

E-mail: sponsor@10in10.org.uk

CYCLISTS

BILL BUDD

I will be 54 years of age at time of ride and came up with the idea as a personnel challenge which I had been thinking about for some time. Whilst having a drink with Neil W one night in late 2006 I mentioned my plans and Neil said count him in. Before I knew it 8 other friends came on board and we then decided to do it for charity.

We choose to raise money for MS because a good friend of ours in the village suffers from the condition and still after 15 years will not give in and inspires us all. Paul Ashwood, the brother of two of the other riders, also has MS. Another of  the charities is The Rainbow Trust for their great work with children. I also wanted to raise money for Macmillan nurses because we have all, in some way, seen their great work.

I work as an estate manager and am married with two sons. Many thanks to Alex and Jill who have been very good letting me do this ride. I live near Petersfield in Hampshire. I have never been into cycling but enjoyed long distance running many years ago. I am also into music, the outdoors and most sports.

CHRIS BUSBY

I work as an Aircraft Engineer at Heathrow Airport for British Airways and will be 47 years old at time of ride. I live in the Guildford area and am married with two boys both at school. I enjoy most sport activities, am always out on my bike for fitness and try to only take the car when, what I am going to buy, won’t fit in my rucksack. DIY on the house and car keeps me busy. On weekends I am a football referee for local leagues which I enjoy doing very much. Looking forward to the challenge, expect it to be hard, exciting and a lot of fun.

ROGER ASHWOOD

For the past four years I have been living and working in Ireland. I first heard about the cycle ride through Neil, my brother, who is a good friend of Bill’s.

I hope to raise as much money as possible for MS. My brother Paul has suffered from MS for the last few years so this charity is particularly important to me. I have never really cycled seriously so I am expecting this to be a big challenge. It should be a great experience and something to look back and remember. I am sure there will be lots of stories to tell at the end of it as well.

LAURENCE BUDD

I will be 18 at the time of the ride and am currently at college studying horticulture and tree surgery. I also work part time as a climbing instructor and enjoy volleyball and skiing.

I heard of the ride through my Dad and doing the ride for the CF charity. I chose this charity because my driving instructor’s grand-daughter suffers from CF and I wanted do raise money as a thank you.

I am doing the ride for the challenge and hope one day to climb Everest.

WES FISK

Even though Australia's a long way away, it didn't take long for me to hear about the 10 in 10 ride from Neil A. I met Neil A in Oz (Adelaide to be exact) whilst he was working and doing some research and learn’t that he could not only run like the wind, but could drink like a fish too.... thus we became good mates and I've ended up in Europe a couple of times, most memorably for his wedding in Croatia where I also met Bill and Neil's brothers.

So, how could I refuse the 10 in 10 ride for a great cause. I mean, apart from getting fit and losing some kilos it'll be a great opportunity to see a little more of Europe, catch up with old mates, make some new ones along the way and maybe have a tipple or two after!!

I'm 42, the Anatomy Lab Manager in the School of Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide and used to play Aussie Rules football at a reasonable level in my younger days. Then I got fat and unfit!! I started off training in October weighing 112kg and even with Xmas and the new year have already managed to get down to around 100kg. My goal weight will be 92kg but my main aim is to trim down, try to get a six pack and get fit again so I can drink more six packs!!!

QUENTIN FOGG

I'm an anatomist from the University of Glasgow. I only moved to the UK this year but have known a couple of the other riders for years. Wes and I worked together at the University of Adelaide, which is where I also studied. We've had years of fun doing a variety of unusual things, and now it's time to show Europe what we can do! Whilst researching in Adelaide I also met Neil A. We did some work together and combined with Wes quite often to have a bit too much fun!

Neil A used a very subtle twist of the arm to talk me into joining the rest of the guys for the big ride. I'm looking forward to the challenge of not only the ride, but trying to raise as much money as possible. As a medical researcher I get to see some of the amazing results possible through various charities supporting research. Now I have a great opportunity to help on both sides of the fence! With my wife, Kara, egging me on, I hope that our efforts can make a big difference here in the UK, and all the way back in Aus