LEJOG 2012 - THE RIDE FOR VINCE

Vince Weller passed away on 1 August 2011, aged 49, after losing his battle with cancer. 

Vince in Thailand, 26 May 2011

Vince was cruelly taken away from his family and friends in August 2011.

Some years ago Vince and his brother-in-law and great friend Jeff Davis discussed the possibility of one day cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats but unfortunately they never got beyond the stage of discussing it before Vince first found out about his illness.

However, 6 days before he passed away Jeff told Vince he was going to complete the ride as a tribute to him and that Vince would be doing it with Jeff, albeit as a photo in Jeff's pocket. Vince's reaction was typical of him - asking Jeff if he would let him win!

So from the 18th to the 27th of August Jeff, along with Ian Mckay, another friend of  Vince and Jeff, are going to keep Jeff's promise to Vince and ride the 923 miles in his memory, accompanied by Vince's wife Joy (also Jeff's sister) and Jeff's wife Julie as the ride support team, to raise money for 3 charities that were close to Vince's heart and that he had agreed should benefit:

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice (CLICK HERE FOR INFO), 

Macmillan Cancer Support (CLICK HERE FOR INFO) and

Neuro Foundation (CLICK HERE FOR INFO).  

  

The first two charities were of enormous help to Vince and indeed also to Joy and Jeff's mum, Joan Davis, who was also a victim of cancer some 9 years ago.  In fact it was of great comfort that by sheer coincidence Vince and Joan would spend their final hours in the same room at the hospice.  

The Neuro Foundation charity is inspired by a very great friend of Vince and Jeff, Robin Hanley, who has battled with the incurable genetic disease Neurofibromatosis Type 2 ("NF2") for the last 20 years.  Vince drew great inspiration in his own battle with cancer from the way in which Robin has dealt with his NF2.


Please support our effort and these charities by sponsoring us 

THE TEAM

THE RIDERS

185 mile London Revolution Ride 19-20 May 2012

Jeff Davis - Joy's brother and Vince's brother-in-law, Jeff has been riding recreationally (2 or 3 sportives per year) and at regular spinning classes for 4 years.

Ian McKay - Ian and Jeff have been friends for 20 years having originally met while coaching their sons' rugby teams (a 10 year project!).  Apart from the occasional spinning class Ian's road cycling experience is very short having only started in January this year.

THE ALL IMPORTANT BACKUP TEAM

The 2004 team - Vince is on the far left

Joy Weller - Vince's wife and Jeff's sister, Joy along with Julie and Vince were the support team for Ian and Jeff's last fundraising mission in 2004, successfully completing the 24 hour Three Peaks Challenge in memory of Joy and Jeff's mum and in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.  Between them they raised £10,000. 

Julie Davis - Jeff's wife and fellow member of the 2004 Three Peaks Challenge, Julie is currently traing for her own challenge in July 2012, the Trailwalker 2012, where along with their daughter and two friends she will be walking 100 km in under 30 hours along the South Downs from Petersfield to Brighton. 

Vince and Robin 2003 Rugby World Cup

It has to be said that Joy and Julie's navigational skills are not the best and Jeff and Ian are desperately hoping that their ride at the end of each day does not finish by having to cycle off and find out where they have got to (the local shopping centre might be a good starting point!). 

Robin Hanley - As mentioned on the Home Page, Robin is very much part of the inspiration for this challenge and would, but for his NF2, dearly have loved to be taking part in it. Nevertheless he will be making his own vital contribution from "base camp" by monitoring progress and providing motivation and encouragement the whole way through.

Jill McKay - Ian's wife Jill will be providing a much needed lift when she joins the support team for the journey through Scotland (this does not mean taking Joy and Julie shopping though!).