My Activity Tracking
1,320
mi
My target 220 mi
Please support my Ambitious challenge!
On Sunday 28 June 2026 I will ride 220 miles in a single day from Manchester to London. A test of endurance, a journey that demands everything, and gives back more.
I am taking on Manchester to London Snowball to raise funds for Ambitious about Autism, the national charity standing with autistic children and young people.
Too often autistic young people are unheard, unsupported, or shut out of opportunities. That can change. Every mile and every turn of the pedals helps create a world where autistic children and young people are accepted for who they are and given the chance to realise their ambitions.
This is more than a ride. This has purpose.
If you can, please consider donating to my page and join me instanding with autistic children and young people.
My Achievements
Shared page
Self-donated
Added a profile pic
Added a blog post
Received 10 donations
25% fundraising target
50% fundraising target
Fundraising target reached
50% distance target reached
Challenge complete!
My Updates
Top10 fundraiser
Tuesday 14th Jul Morning to all my very kind and generous supporters, just a quick note to say that I’ve just made top10 individual fundraiser for this event and would like to thank everyone of you who has supported my efforts with a donation, it really is appreciated 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Bianche - the love affair is over 🥹
Monday 6th Jul A love affair that lasted over two months and 2000km of hard riding is over and the celeste green belle has done back to her owner. We had some fun together ; from trips to the seaside and the Manchester to London ride, it’s been a blast. Now back to my own vintage beauty who has been left somewhat wanting but came blasting out of the storage unit to win (on time) the 2nd CCA club hill climb in Richmond Park. My 1964 Mercian King of Mercia is a real beauty but sadly not old enough to help me win the handicap hill climb which was won by Bob on his very old 192/ Bianche with wooden wheels and cork brakes- amazing!! Thanks for all your support over the last months it means a lot. Still time to sponsor my M2L effort until end of July 🙏🏻 (see photos) Share
Smashing through £10k
Thursday 2nd Jul Tonight we cracked the £10k fundraising mark for Ambition About Autism and have doubled our original target, which we as a club are overjoyed about. Thanks to all supporters and for donations made. We have until end of July before the book is closed and we’re going to ‘keep on keeping on’! Cheers for now Dave Share
M2L220 - job done!
Monday 29th Jun Sunday 28th June saw myself and three teammates complete the monster Manchester - London bike ride for AAA. It was a brilliant day and the legs stayed good for the day, thank goodness!!🙏🏻. Loved the roll out from Manchester at 5am as I was looking forward to hitting the Peak District and my old stomping ground. Hard start to the ride which then settled down to undulating but the heat and constant upping and downing could definitely be felt. Last leg into London was hard with some big climbs and plenty of ups and downs. Joined by fellow clubmates at last food stop (Harrington) and rode back to London with great support. Organisation of the event was top class and about 200 took part all trying to raise money for AAA. Rolled into Rapha HQ at Archway just after 9pm to much shouting and cheering and lots of handshakes and a welcome beer and pizza. Great support from the CCA service team. In metric for those who sponsored by km 🤣🤣356 🙏🏻🙏🏻thanks to all who have kindly supported me. There’s still time to donate now. Thanks again all round Dave
Richmond Park - 3 laps - checking body & bike! 🙏🏻
Friday 26th Jun Hit Richmond Park for a steady 50km turning of the legs before Sunday, all good! 30c with Wind getting up, supposed to be cooler for Sunday; low to mid 20’s. Two bottle bike now which is good. Will rewax the chain and might do the legs at the same time ?!🫣looking forward to getting to the 5am start line now, our group will be one of first off 😁thanks for all the support 🙏🏻 Share
Big 200- Brighton and back!
Monday 15th Jun Got the big ride in that I felt I needed, 2 weeks before the big big ride #M2L220 (355km) and it all went well; bike was super smooth, legs good, back and shoulders aching a bit, beautiful sunny day but not too hot, great cafe stop on the Dyke Road and great riding companion in Darren who is one of the team of four riders. We rode well together and were in Brighton for just gone 0930 on fresh legs and a flattish route with a slight tailwind. The return leg not so easy with lots of steep pokey climbs wearing out the legs slowly but surely. Had to do a lap of Richmond park at the end to get over the 200km and felt I still had a bit left bin the tank, but not sure about another 150km 🫣 Just short rides now to ‘keep the legs turning’ until the big day! Oh, we had two vintage Bianchi’s out which always attract a lot of attention . Beautiful riding them down the seafront together all sparkly in the sun against a not too dissimilar coloured sea. 10 years between them 1982 & 92 respectively. Share
Big Storm
Thursday 11th Jun Last Saturday (06.06) I rode down to Brighton for the weekend and arrived to, what was quite frankly, a breathtaking storm. Fortunately the wind I’d had all ride intensified and turned tail for the Shoreham - Brighton along the seafront and blew me very fast to the pier. Waves were colossal, incredible! One puncture on the way and various warm bath soakings from cars made it a bit of an epic 100+km. Rode back on Sunday the hilly way with a lovely SW wind helping me maintain a 27kmh average speed! Happy with that and stopped for a beer at the Eel Pie in Twickenham where I enjoyed a pint of Badger ale and bumped into my fellow vintage club mate on his beautiful Colnago Master. Sponsorship is going well and at £14 / km we would have reached the north Midlands (143km and just over £2000!! 🙏🏻 another 212km to get to London and to reach our goal of £5000 for Autism. So £14 will get us 1km closer to our finish line. Thanks to all for support and for reading this. Cheers Dave Share
Big weekend!
Monday 1st Jun A 290km weekend is a confidence builder although I did start to run out of energy in Leatherhead yesterday on the way home but I’ll blame that on not eating enough and the Harvey’s Sussex Best on Saturday night. Great weather weekend with a couple of days annual leave. Super ride back with a WSW wind pushing me along. Enjoyed two ascents of Steyning Bostal on Saturday on a 50km ride, a good test of the lowest gear available to me on the classic Bianchi. Enjoyed riding the shiny bike down the seafront in Brighton in the beautiful sun. Also bolstered the tanlines!! 😁 Share
Brighton again - upping the distance! 🥵
Friday 29th May
Scorchio ride to Brighton
Sunday 24th May The getting the body used to riding the vintage steel bike continues with a good dose of heat acclimatisation thrown in for good measure. 💯 km ride was stunning and I was accompanied by a couple of mates for half the ride before they split to return home. Took the time to get a closer look at the magnificent Lancing College and arrived at Brighton seafront like everyone was on the beach enjoying a height of summers day. All good with increased average speed thanks to my mates for the first half. Bike ran well , body held up well and improving. Riding home with Twickenham cycling club tomorrow (bh Monday) when it’s supposed to be even hotter , like 30deg!! 😎 Share
Brighton is all celeste green
Monday 18th May Did a couple of good solid traing bike rides over the weekend, London-Brighton and back over two days with essential overnight refuelling at the Rock Inn and Vel South Indian restaurant. It was the first big try out on the borrowed Bianchi Specialissima I'll be riding on the big day. An 80's vintage beauty complete with down shifters and 'rattrap' pedals and straps. Trip down on Saturday morning was direct to Steyning and then along the coast from Shoreham to Brighton, generally the less hilly route to Brighton avoiding a South Downs climb like Ditchling or Steyning Bostal which I was contemplating but wind against all the way was just about enough. Trip back on Sunday afternoon via Devils Dyke was more wind assisted WSW but a damn sight more hilly and attritional up through Twinham, the 'Gates and Rusper, and then skirting underneath Box (Juniper) and home by Chessington and Kingston. Over 1200m of climbing and the legs were feeling it by the end. This weekend was all about getting the body used to the bike and in particular the Turbo saddle (head scratch?!). Prior to this weekend I was trying out the bike, lent to me by a very generous CCA club member, on Richmond Park in the sun which suited the chrome wheels and finishing very nicely indeed! Early June I will try a Brighton and back to see how 200km goes...but still !50km off the Manchester-London distance?! Maybe I should have a go at L-B-L-B :) ShareThank you to my Sponsors
£250
Gleeds Llp
£250
Anonymous
Go Cicli Artigianali
£225
Anonymous
£132
Anonymous
Go CCA
£100
Dave Gordon
Hope you bring the 'old girl' home in one piece...and yourself. Good luck mate.
£60
Anonymous
Go Cicli Artigianali
£60
Anonymous
Well done CCA
£56
Richard Storey
There you go "TC", another 4km covered. Best of luck, me old mate 😃
£53
John Carpic
Well done David and be strong on Sunday.
£53
Robert Young
£53
Oliver East
Smash it Dave!! Good luck
£50
Sath Sundaran
All the best
£50
Mike And Sheila Freshwater
Good luck Dave - an important cause supporting those with autism and an incredible challenge.
£50
Matt Johnston
Good luck Dave. Hope the day goes well 👍
£50
Stuart Gillies
Great cause and tough challenge. I hope you make it safely 🙏🏽
£50
Kev Robertshaw
Good luck with this one Dave. How could I not sponsor you riding such a beautiful Bianchi.
£48
Anonymous
Go Cicli Artigianali
£48
Anonymous
Go Cicli Artigianali
£35.20
Martin Young
Bon chance, bro! 10p per km to keep you focussed!
£35
Mo Mansoori
Good luck Dave. A worthy cause and an excellent effort. Can't wait to see the photos.
£30
Stan Wong
Good luck Dave. I’m sure it will be a leisurely ride for you! 💪
£30
Tom Doran
Good luck Dave. It’s a wicked day out. Enjoy!
£30
Robin Phillips
Good luck, Dave! 220 miles in a day on a vintage bike sounds equal parts inspiring and slightly mad. Hope the bike, the legs and the weather all cooperate. A brilliant effort for a brilliant cause - enjoy the ride and the well-earned sense of achievement at the finish.
£28
Tony G
Good Luck Dave - should be a great ride!
£28
Chris Young
Good luck big bro!
£28
John & Margaret
Good luck Dave!
£28
Anne Parkinson
Chapeau to you and your cycle buddies!
£28
Kate Whitaker
Well done Dave!
£28
Gary Callaway
Great effort big man
£28
Anonymous
Well done David
£25
Mike D
Thanks for the socks 😉
£20
Scott
Great cause, another epic challenge to chalk off by the legend on 2 wheels… safe riding
£20
Annaliese Neal
Good Luck Dave! Another amazing challenge. Hope the weather is kind to you. Best wishes
£20
Gill Young N Davey_the_brave
Here’s an extra boost to get you a few miles further down the road towards your target - a great charity and a mammoth challenge for you cyclists!
£20
Mike Robison
Great effort Dave and the team, well done.
£20
Phil Mclean
Good luck on the ride - you’re definitely looking the part!
£20
Aneeka Soni
£20
Chris Petrie
Great work Dave and team!
£20
Sp
Well done Dave what an amazing achievement fur a wonderful cause.
£20
Annie
Huge congratulations 👏👏👏
£20
Harold
Great job Dave and a fab cause. Epic.
£20
Lily Young
So proud of you Dad!!!! ❤️❤️ good luck guys
£20
H
Best of luck Dad!
£20
Vijay Bhatt
Best of Luck Dave, I am sure the old steel won't slow down an old legs.
£20
Charlie Smith
Best of luck Dave, see you in the office Monday I'll make the teas save your legs 🤣
£20
Steve Freshwater
Great challenge Dave - best of luck !
£20
Nigel Young
Good luck Dave with that epic ride ❤️
£20
Phil Langton
Best of luck Dave. I'm sure you'll not need it. Have a cracking day.
£20
John Keatley
Good luck to you to you and the team. Hope it all goes well and the weather stays good for you.
£20
Marian Young
Good luck Dave - love Mum
£20
Geoff Heap
Glad to see that you are still cycling ridiculous distances. Hope you have a well padded pair of shorts. All the best, it is a great cause. Geoff
£20
Damian Tillson
Good luck Dave!
£20
Terry
Enjoy the ride.
£15
Joe Stiddard-jenkins
£12
K Wyllie
£12
Claudia Elliott
£12
Bill Henry
Good luck Dave
£12
Steve Morgan
Incredible effort, Dave. Well done
£12
Angela Davis
Good luck Dave- great cause!
£12
Ryan Morgan
Good luck Dave, hope all goes well !
£12
Heather Forbes
Good Luck David
£12
G & The Other Dave Y
Last top up for completing
£12
David Crofts
I saw a message from Pete Breen asking for sponsorship - terrific effort, well done.
£12
Nicholas Davis
£10
Keith Levene
Best of luck
£10
Emma Davitte-owen
Wow. That’s amazing! Good luck to you and the team. Emma xx
£10
Sara O'keeffe
Wow Dave - that is seriously far! Best of luck on your boneshaker 🙂
£10
John Finnerty
£10
Steve (dog Walker)
Great cause Dave, good luck!
£10
Alex
Congratualtions on your ride Dave! Amazing achievement 🥳
£10
Aldred
£10
Kate Lacy
Goodluck Dave. Fantastic cause. Strong legs big heart.
£10
Alex Spencer
£5
Cas H
Good luck!
£5
Della Hughes
A great cause
£5
Andy Belmont
Smashing effort for a great cause!
£5
Victoria Fonfe
Well done - incredible achievement! From all at #28 x
