Pompey fans gear up for charity bike ride

A GROUP of Pompey fans is gearing up to pedal nearly 150 miles across Europe to raise money for charity.
From left, Graeme Palmer, Paul Ryan, Shaun Greenfield and Steve HumphreysFrom left, Graeme Palmer, Paul Ryan, Shaun Greenfield and Steve Humphreys
From left, Graeme Palmer, Paul Ryan, Shaun Greenfield and Steve Humphreys

Six friends will take part in the two-day long Football to Amsterdam bike ride.

The group will leave from London on June 2 and travel to the Dutch capital via the ferry in Harwich, Essex, cycling in the name of their home team, covering 145 miles, in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

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The cyclists, led by Steve Humphreys, 46, and Shaun Greenfield, 48, have already smashed their fundraising target of £2,000.

Club shareholder Steve, of Collingworth Rise, Park Gate, said that he was ‘absolutely made up’ by the outpouring of support.

‘We’ve still got a long way to go,’ he said.

‘A lot of people have pledged that they will sponsor us, so we’re just over the moon.’

Steve, who is an accountant, said that he can’t wait to take to the peloton with a score of football greats including former England captain Terry Butcher.

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He said: ‘I’ve been a season ticket holder at Pompey for years, and I go there with my two boys. I bought my square metre at the training pitch as well. I’ve done my bit to help the club over the years, so that’s why it’s good to do the bike ride.

‘I don’t think Pompey has been really represented in this before.’

Steve has been a keen cyclist for around seven years, and has been working hard to train up his teammates for long stints in the saddle. I’ve tried to do anywhere from 60 to 100 miles a week,’ he said.

‘Then at the weekends we’ve stepped it up a bit. It’s quite hilly getting out of London so that’s going to be a bit of a challenge.

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‘It shouldn’t be too bad when we’re in Holland because it’s quite flat so I’m just hoping that it’s not too windy.’

Completed by Paul Ryan, Graeme Palmer, Steve Courtney, and Gary Moran, the team of Pompey cyclists will set off from London’s Olympic Park on June 3, before crossing the ribbon at the Ajax Arena the following day.

Last year, 250 cyclists raised a total of £350,000 in the annual ride. However, event organisers hope to raise £500,000 this year.