On Saturday 19 September, three Sevenoaks RFC members are riding the British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton Off Road Bike Ride: 61 miles from Apps Court Farm in Surrey, across the North and South Downs, finishing at Hove Lawns. It's Europe's largest charity mountain bike ride.
For Greg Smith, who coaches at the club, the reason is close to home. A few years ago his mum had a heart attack, followed by a double bypass. She recovered, and she's still very much around — something that's only possible because of decades of research the British Heart Foundation helped pay for. Bypass surgery, the drugs that keep her well, the scans that caught the problem: none of it came from nowhere.
For Dean, Greg and Oli, preparation has been, largely theoretical — between work, coaching and family, training has mostly consisted of good intentions and a nervous look at the route profile. All three expect to feel every mile.
They'll be riding in Sevenoaks colours, with thanks to the club and its sponsors for getting behind the ride.
If you can spare anything, it goes straight to the BHF, and Gift Aid adds 25% if you're a UK taxpayer: https://www.justgiving.com/team/dean-oli-greg-100