Soloist - Russell Kesley
Who are you (name, age, where you come from)
Russell Kesley, Age 53, From South London
What is your background?
I am a physiotherapist, I work part time and ride a few miles in my spare time. I used to play a lot of rugby but not very well, though I don't seem to be able to remember too much about the games or times now unfortunately.
Why did you want to get involved in this challenge?
I helped start this challenge 7 years ago when I rode up solo to meet Doddie in 2018 and was one of the founding 4 riders with Rob Wainwright, Tom Leefe and Mark Beaumont who rode down to Twickenham the following year. It's become an annual event for me, going to Rome this year will make it that bit more of a challenge, especially for the solo riders. I've been cycling for 8 years ever since I discovered I had an endocrine tumour, a pheochromocytoma - to say I am lucky to be alive is an understatement, cycling saved my life and it helped me recover from the surgery to remove the tumour. I've been cycling ever since and now don't own a car so a bike is my only form of transport.
What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of the trip?
The most challenging aspect of the ride for me will probably be for other riders in the peloton having to put up with my rather inane banter which will not get any better during the ride. In all sincerity, as one of the soloists, the biggest challenge will be making the ferries across to Ireland, Wales and over to France, we have quite a tight window of opportunity, so it will make for an interesting ride. Riding 300-350 km daily is never without its problems, these types of rides always throw up some challenges which will test our resilience. We can only hope that we show fortitude and take heart from Doddie, Rob Burrow and others who suffer from MND, that we are lucky to be able to do what we can, and to help those people who need help much more than we do.
How important is it that we keep Doddie's memory alive?
Hopefully we can continue to build on Doddie’s legacy and face our own demons and take heart from his example. To be the best we can every day. I feel that this mantra is important to all of us through life as we begin to face new challenges and help find a cure for MND. To be able to find something that helps people and gives them hope is vitally important, to help people like Doddie, Rob Burrow, giving them and their families hope that someday this will end and that other families won't be torn apart in such cruel circumstances.
What has been the most inspirational aspect of this challenge so far for you?
For me, it is inspiring to see how the rugby community comes together and how we overcome the tribal differences of nationalities and clubs all to work for a common cause and help each other. It is more than a little humbling to see how much money this ride now raises and the number of people it engages, be it the schools, the clubs or the public as a whole. I don't think I am wrong to say that in the 7 years of riding this event, we have gone from raising just over £2,000 to raising over £1.5m. This is in no small part down to our illustrious leader Mr Rob Wainwright and also Mark Beaumont. I hope that the event this year will engage many more people and raise over £1 million in its own right.
