SPONSORED BY THE COBRA GROUP FOUNDATION

THE CHALLENGE: 450 Miles in less than one week from Beaconsfield to Assen in the Netherlands via France and Belgium

THE CAUSE: To raise money for the Sue Ryder Hospice and for Cancer Research UK honoring the memory of a good friend and a great human being, Mark Denyer who sadly passed away in July 2011 from cancer leaving a wife and a 6 month old baby girl.

INTRODUCTION TO THE CHALLENGE: On 23rd June 4 enthusiastic amateur riders will embark on a 450 mile bike ride from Beaconsfield to Assen TT Circuit in the Netherlands in less than 7 days. They are 4 like-minded individuals who were drawn to their love of cycling for very different reasons but have now been brought together for a clear and common aim. They are honoring the memory of a good friend and a great human being, Mark Denyer. Mark sadly passed away in July 2011 from cancer.

THE CHARITIES: The team will be raising money for the Sue Ryder Hospice that provided invaluable care and comfort for Mark and his family in the short time before he died and also for Cancer Research UK.

THE DESTINATION: The choice of Assen as the destination provides the opportunity for the team to remember Mark’s love of cycling and his passion for Moto GP. The reward for cycling the long distance is that the riders will watch the Moto GP race when they get there in memory of Mark.

THE RIDERS: Grant Hepburn cemented his friendship with Mark while they were both on their bikes training for the London-Brighton bike ride and Laurie Othen became friends with Mark while he was enjoying one of his other interests- visits to the local pub with his wife Debbie. Benjamin Tilly and Alex Dunlop are both keen cyclists and both say it is a privilege to be part of the Assen Challenge raising money in memory of Mark.

Grant has done a fair amount of cycling through the years and had more than his fair share of accidents.But aged 41 and in need of some regular exercise he got back on his bike and with Mark and a friend, Trevor Potts they started regular Sunday morning bike rides.

Laurie hadn’t owned a bike for 15 years until Mark’s death inspired him to buy a new one and embarked on his first challenge of a 60 mile ride through the Chilterns.

Alex has done some lengthy rides over the last 7 years including London-Paris, London-Amsterdam, but the Assen Challenge will be the longest that he has done and he is training accordingly. Alex’s cycling endeavours have raised significant money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, British Heart Foundation and others.

Ben raced mountain bikes in his early 30’s but these days he is more likely to be found enjoying road cycling trips around the Chilterns. Ben has also arranged a number of events raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.