TIM’S CYCLE MISSION TO PARIS
England fan Tim Hollidge may have had to go easy on the mince pies and Christmas pud over the festive period as he prepares for a lycra-busting charity bike ride to Paris in March for England’s showdown with France.
The 44-year-old former Stains Rugby Club second row is preparing for a two-day, 170-mile ride to Paris in aid of prostate cancer where he will complete a memorable weekend by spending Sunday afternoon at the Stade de France watching England take on Rugby World Cup Finalists France in the RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Tim will be joined by 11 other cycling rugby fans on the epic journey – and the training has already started!
“We were originally planning to do the ride last year but we didn’t get it organised in time because the father of a friend of ours sadly died,” Tim explained. “So we thought we would get the trip organised to raise money for the prostate cancer hospice he was in, and as we used to play a lot of rugby together and support England we thought we would combine the two.
“We are calling our expedition the ‘John Butler Memorial Bike Ride and we will be raising money for the St Michaels Hospice in Hereford.
“We thought it was a really good way of catching up with people we met at university and also watching some great rugby at the same time – there is obviously a sad side as well but it will bring a lot of friends together.”
Tim is a seasoned rugby follower and has been an England Rugby Supporters’ Club member since 2005.
“We have had some great times in the car park at Twickenham – one of the best was when we beat Australia in 2010 – the atmosphere was brilliant, fantastic afterwards,” he added.
“But I have also been to Lansdowne Road, Murrayfield and the British & Irish Lions Tour in 1997 and it’s just a great mix of people all there for a good time and to watch the best rugby.”
Tim and his crew have guaranteed their ticket packages with England’s official travel company and he added: “We knew that through England Rugby Travel our tickets would be guaranteed and when you take into account the need for a hotel the value is very good.
Tim will be joined by 11 other cycling rugby fans on the epic journey – and the training has already started!
“We were originally planning to do the ride last year but we didn’t get it organised in time because the father of a friend of ours sadly died,” Tim explained. “So we thought we would get the trip organised to raise money for the prostate cancer hospice he was in, and as we used to play a lot of rugby together and support England we thought we would combine the two.
“We are calling our expedition the ‘John Butler Memorial Bike Ride and we will be raising money for the St Michaels Hospice in Hereford.
“We thought it was a really good way of catching up with people we met at university and also watching some great rugby at the same time – there is obviously a sad side as well but it will bring a lot of friends together.”
Tim is a seasoned rugby follower and has been an England Rugby Supporters’ Club member since 2005.
“We have had some great times in the car park at Twickenham – one of the best was when we beat Australia in 2010 – the atmosphere was brilliant, fantastic afterwards,” he added.
“But I have also been to Lansdowne Road, Murrayfield and the British & Irish Lions Tour in 1997 and it’s just a great mix of people all there for a good time and to watch the best rugby.”
Tim and his crew have guaranteed their ticket packages with England’s official travel company and he added: “We knew that through England Rugby Travel our tickets would be guaranteed and when you take into account the need for a hotel the value is very good.
