News from Maurice Carroll, charity 'pedlathon'

10 October 2005

Charity Winner in GP Cycle Ride

A former Grand Prix motor cycle racer suffering from osteoarthritis has completed two laps of every major racing race circuit in the UK raising funds for the Arthritis Research Campaign. The cycle ride included Castle Combe, Thruxton, Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Mallory Park, Snetterton, Cadwell Park and Oulton Park.

Said rider Maurice Carroll: "The circuit owners gave fantastic support. Silverstone gave us the whole circuit for an hour before the Formula 1 teams took over for a practice day. We met up with Renault and Toyota and came away with signed hats, one with the signatures of new World Champion, Fernando Alonso and his team-mate, Giancarlo Fisichella; the other by Toyota's Olivier Panis and Ralf Schumacher."

Both hats will be auctioned in aid of Arthritis Research.

Maurice's average speed on the circuits was somewhat slower than his racing days. The fastest was Cadwell Park at 33 kph, the slowest was Snetterton where strong winds and torrential rain put a dampener on  the week. "The organisers thought I was mad to go out. Also, circuits that appeared flat on powered machines take on a completely different look on a bicycle. It's surprising how steep some of the hills are."

The week's event was to include riding the roads between each circuit, but that plan had to be abandoned. "Thames Valley Police and several other authorities warned me that riding the roads could be hazardous. Having lived in France for the past few years, I thought they were being over cautious, but it soon became apparent that it was actually downright dangerous.

"It seems motorists have no patience or road sense anymore. The slipstream from 4x4s and some trucks racing past inches away and then cutting in can knock a cyclist off the road. We had to give up after just two days."

Maurice Carroll's  racing career ended in the early '70's. He took up cycling just twelve months ago to help fight the debilitating effects of arthritis . He now takes part in regular weekend road races at his home in France.

Arthritis Research Campaign is one of the few charities that give almost all donations to research with just 11% being used for admin and staff. Maurice hopes that the people who made pledges will now go to www.justgiving.com/mauricearc and make their donations on line, or use the links on the site to make emailed offers for the two F1 hats.

ends

400 words

Further information from:
Maurice Carroll
tel: +33 (0) 5 49 29 47 05
Mobile: 079000 56591
maurice@winerider.com

Event sponsors:
Arthritis Research Campaign
Corinne Dennis Performance Cycle Clothing
Healthspan
Hoverspeed
TORQ Fitness
winedrive.com

The Squirrel Inn, Godalming, Surrey
Weston Manor Hotel, Weston on the Green, Oxfordshire
The Castle Hotel, Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire
Crosskeys Hotel, Hilgay, Nr Downham Market, Norfolk
Kenwick Park Hotel, Kenwick, Louth, Lincolnshire
The Cayeley Arms, Pickering, Yorks
Whashton Springs Farm, Richmond, York
Winsford Lodge, Winsford, Cheshire