Toby Dicker, who runs The Chapel Hairdressing Salon is set to embark on a second charity bike ride in three years, which will see him cover a distance of 800 miles in just nine days travelling from Tunbridge Wells to Barcelona.
The salon owner will be joined by eight other cyclists, including several members of The Chapel Hairdressing, who will be leaving Tunbridge Wells on September 13 for their journey.
The salon owner will be joined by eight other cyclists, including several members of The Chapel Hairdressing, who will be leaving Tunbridge Wells on September 13 for their journey.
They are aiming to raise as much money for charity as possible, with good causes earmarked for donations including the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre, CALM, which works to reduce male suicide, and the Hairdressers’ Charity, which is dedicated to helping hairdressing professionals and ex-hairdressers with their mental health. The ride is also being supported by Wildside Cycles.
Toby, who participated in a similar 2016 bike ride to Switzerland, said he was inspired to organise the event by his late uncle, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer aged just 60.
“We used to talk about going on epic bike rides together all the time,” recalled Toby, who added that his uncle left his bike to him on his death.
“I thought it only fitting that I should take that bike on a charity ride in support of others suffering from the same disease,” he continued.
The event raised around £63,000 three years ago, and Toby hopes to raise even more this time, and is appealing for sponsors for the bike ride, having secured support from a number of local businesses, including the Times of Tunbridge Wells and Markerstudy.
At the end of the ride, the group hopes to team up with the Hairdressers’ Charity Ride for three days, which is organising its annual fundraising event in Girona, near to Barcelona, which could take the total distance travelled by Toby and his team to over 1,000 miles.
He added: “We are cycling for four days straight of over 100 miles and so fatigue is a factor that needs to be considered.
“Nutrition is also very important, and we need to make sure we are drinking enough water.
“Male bravado and pushing ourselves too far could be an issue.”
He added that each volunteer cyclist is ‘self-funded’ and will they pay for their own hotels and transport.
“All of the money goes straight to a good cause which is very important for me,” said Toby.
