Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2019: Team Moto’s Diary!

For more than a decade now, Help for Heroes hosts it’s annual Big Battlefield Bike Ride (BBBR) to raise money to help improve the lives of ill or injured Veterans. The ride covers 350 miles across Northern France over 5 days and we’re really proud to be able to send across a team to take part on behalf of Moto.

We packed them off with their bikes, helmets…and of course a camera! We’ve rounded up some of the highlights of their 5 days of pedal power and bring you, the BBBR19 diaries!
 
DAY 1
Sainte-Mère-Église to Bayeux, 63.3miles
…and we’re off! Today, the team kicked off #BBBR19 by cycling over 60 miles! On their journey, they took in a number of historical sites, including Omaha’s American Cemetary in Colleville-sur-Mer, honouring American troops who lost their lives fighting for peace in World War II.

“Joining the BBBR team after my very poor exercise history was nerve-racking.  After every training session I attended I came home even more nervous. Words can’t describe how happy I am to sit here and write this message after successfully completing day 1.  At certain points today I found myself alone, wet and wondering when it was going to end.  Then one of my amazing co-riders would ride up next to me and the laughter would begin!” 

Mike Lignum, Area General Manager, Doncaster

DAY 2
Bayeux to Caen, 56.6miles
A slightly shorter ride, today the team continued towards Caen, going up 1768ft in the process! En route, they visited Longues-sur-Mer Battery, the only battery in Normandy to retain all its original guns in situ!

DAY 3
Caen to Lisieux, 69miles
Their longest ride yet, the team had their work cut out today! Not only did they have a lot of miles to get through, but they had inclines of 9% en route, too. By the end of today, they’d completed almost 60% of their ride.

DAY 4
Lisieux to Évreux, 66.4miles
Traditionally, day 4 of BBBR is fancy dress! This year’s theme? Wacky Races!

DAY 5
Lisieux to Las Invalides, 73.4miles
Touchdown in Paris and the end of the longest leg of the race! Proud as punch (and rightly so!), the team crossed the finish line at Les Invalides, the French National War Museum and the last resting place of Napoleon.

“Throughout the week I had the pleasure of riding with all the Band of Brothers.  Whilst listening to their stories and asking them questions, it immediately brought home the reason why both myself, my fellow Moto team and the company as a whole spend so much time fundraising for a very special cause.  The week has been a highlight in my 19 year Moto career and an inspiring chapter in my life.” 

David Marlor – Customer Services Assistant Supervisor, Doncaster

Congratulations to everyone in Team Moto and a HUGE thank you to everyone who donated during the ride. An impressive feat made even more impressive by the fact that 8 of the 10 members of the crew had no cycling experience! Wow!

Help for Heroes is an incredible cause helping to improve the lives of injured veterans and we’re really, really proud to have them as our charity partner.

Same time next year?