Latest news with #MartinMansell
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Yorkshire cyclists complete charity bike ride from Leeds to Nice
A team of cyclists have completed a gruelling 1,100-mile cycle ride from West Yorkshire to the south of France in aid of two charities. Martin Mansell and Andy North set off with a team of friends from Leeds Bradford Airport's runway on 17 June to raise money for Alzheimer's Society and Candlelighters and finished in Nice early on Tuesday were racing against Steve Dennis, who was heading to the same destination in an electric car, but taking a longer route via 21 countries. Mr Mansell said the cyclists arrived first, narrowly beating their target of completing the journey in under seven days. The cyclists reached Dover in two days, then journeyed from Calais to Nice, crossing the French Alps' highest pass - the Col de la Bonette - at an altitude of 8,907ft (2,715m). Talking about the final stretch, Mr Mansell, from Denby Dale, Kirklees, said: "We cycled all the way through the night over the Alps, it had been non-stop cycling. "That was the hardest stretch by miles, but everyone was so psyched up and ready for it."He continued: "It was the very last climb and the biggest - we set off at about 21:00 on Monday after we'd had something to eat and we climbed up to 9,000ft."It was pitch black, it was freezing, quite windy, but it was amazing."Mr Dennis described the EV journey as "exhausting" due to problems finding charging points at the right times along the initial plan was to visit 20 countries in the EV, but the journey also passed through Monaco on the way to Nice. Mr Dennis - who co-owns a travel agency with Mr Mansell - said at one point they only had 10% battery on the EV and had to divert by 50 miles to find a charger. He said: "We're definitely going to go out and celebrate that we made it, the stress levels that we've been through are ridiculous."Once they found one - at a garage in Macedonia - it was locked up and closed, but a kind staff member allowed his co-driver to charge after "feeling sorry" for them."That got us back to where we had to be, but if it wasn't for that woman we would have not got out of Macedonia, 100%."The challenge - called The Beast Unleashed - has raised more than £50,000 for charity so far. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Yorkshire cyclists begin charity bike ride from Leeds to Nice
A team aims to cycle more than 1,100 miles from Yorkshire to the south of France in a charity challenge which has already raised more than £50, Mansell and Andy North set off with four friends from Leeds Bradford Airport's runway just before 06:00 BST, heading for Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to raise money for Alzheimer's Society and will be joined on parts of the route by Mark Beaumont, who holds a world record for cycling around the world in 79 days, and ex-Huddersfield Giants rugby league star Eorl Crabtree. Steve Dennis hopes to arrive in Nice in an electric car before the cyclists, despite navigating a longer 3,300-mile (5,311km) route taking in 20 countries. Mr Mansell, 47, and Mr Dennis, who own a Leeds-based travel agents, have already undertaken a fundraising challenge together. Last year they completed a 450-mile (724km) bike ride around the perimeter of Yorkshire, raising more than £16,000 for Alzheimer's Society. The new challenge - The Beast Unleashed - is also raising money for Alzheimer's Society, as both Mr Mansell and Mr North, 64, have been impacted by Mansell's father has Alzheimer's and Mr North's father-in-law Michael recently died with the disease. "As a family we have been through the last 11 years of deterioration, and seeing how the disease decimates families and affects them," Mr North, from Shadwell, Leeds, said."We know the struggles you have to go through to cope with it." He said he appreciated the support he received but also saw how much more could be done - which is why he wanted to join the challenge and raise money for the cause. Also joining the challenge for parts of the route are actors Owen Warner and Billy Price, who played Romeo Nightingale and Sid Sumner in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. Mr Mansell, from Denby Dale, Kirklees, said: "I've never cycled such a huge distance or at this high an altitude, so having both Mark and Eorl along for support and sharing their expertise will be hugely beneficial."It's incredible to have Leeds Bradford Airport backing us from the start - we're really grateful to them, and of course everyone else who has sponsored and donated so far."The team will pedal from Leeds to Dover in two days, then from Calais to Nice, crossing the French Alps' highest pass at an altitude of 9,000ft (2,743m).The challenge is also raising money for Candlelighters, a Leeds charity which helps children with cancer and their families. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
