Unless you’ve been away somewhere with no connection to Guernsey or the news, there’s no doubt that you’re aware of the name Sarah Groves and the charitable activity being undertaken in her memory. This month our Managing Editor Ruairi ONeill meets the man behind the Sarah Groves Foundation’s charity ride to Paris that commences on May 24th
You used to be a photographer didn’t you?” asks the broad shouldered character sat opposite me. In an endearing Scottish drawl, Gary Hooks tries to recruit me within seconds of our first meeting.
This pretty much sums up the action man behind the Sarah Groves Foundation Charity ride to Paris. With zero trace of sarcasm or humour, Gary is exactly that – an action man. He gets things done and is committed to making sure his fleet of riders for the Sarah Groves foundation charity ride to Paris and back are safe, healthy and most of all, motivated.
It’s a gargantuan logistical task but “it’s all about planning” explains Gary. “Leon (Howard) has been unreal – he’s got an incredible skillset, super organized and potentially a certified genius. He’s the best project manager and is balancing ten things at once.”
From figuring out jurisdictions, police escorts and ensuring the group travels as a safe unit as well as guaranteeing they all get fed, watered and stretched every step of the way.
“We have a Police escort arranged approximately ten kilometers outside of Paris and they will bring us in and out of the city – I’ve cycled the route myself and its relatively quiet. It’s not the nightmare traffic situation that everyone envisages when they think of Parisian roads but the team won’t be riding the Champs Elysee!”
The nerves certainly don’t show with Gary sat across the table but as he explains, being a little nervous can be a good thing – “we, as a team, have a huge task to accomplish so keeping them fuelled, fed, stretched and kitted out with beds, masseurs and medics is a top priority.”
If the food is good then the ride is good. Double meals for the lucky riders who could expect the equivalent of ten meals per day, just to compensate for the high calorie burning they will be doing.
“This tour is going to provide exceptionally good food and I want all the athletes to have an exceptionally good experience” says Gary.
“The cycling becomes easier and the hard work and physical and mental strain on the riders will be offset by the thought of a well deserved and nourishing meal at the end of each stage.”
Gary is going to provide them with the best possible options in the form of quality carbohydrates and high density calories – so lots of high protein foods, vegetables, green salads and fruit to keep them going.
The 600-mile ride from Guernsey to Paris (and back again) is a demanding mental and physical challenge. Not only is it twice as long as the cycling tours from London to Paris but the grueling challenge also puts my month of Moustache Movember growing to shame.
So how did the Sarah Groves Bike Ride idea come to fruition? The ex-Boxer/carpenter/charity worker had completed the Tour De France route and fell out of love with cycling shortly after.
“I was just cycling my ass off and I was 20 kilos lighter than I am today. It’s an endurance fitness athleticism that means the weight literally drops off. I was taking time out from cycling and heard about the tragic passing of Sarah whilst in Paris. I was laying in bed one night thinking about how I could help and it really was just a gesture. The support from everyone including Bonsai (funding), Sueco (who are contributing food and staff), BMW vans (who are providing the transport) and of course Ian Brown has been immense. It snowballed from there.”
It’s clear from his enthusiasm that Gary wants to get it right – “it’s my first time as much as anyone else and I’ve been on the other side of cycling tours. I’ve got more than fifty people relying on me and my experience and I am making sure that they’re as comfortable as possible.”
His actions are also about instilling the belief in people that they can achieve great things. And it’s what Sarah Groves was all about. A full tour run will be practiced close to the event, an average of 80km to test the team and its support staff. It’ll simulate the tour run and will give Gary and the organisers the opportunity to practice the food stops, pace and repair scenarios.
It will take place on the Sunday weekend before the charity riders are set to depart for Paris on 21st May 2014 (check the Sarah Groves Ride Facebook page for updates).
So if you see the group cycling the island make sure to honk the horn, clap in approval and cheer on the group in the truly special Guernsey manner.
The 600-mile ride from Guernsey to Paris (and back again) is a demanding mental and physical challenge. Not only is it twice as long as the cycling tours from London to Paris but the grueling challenge also puts my month of Moustache Movember growing to shame..
