London to Paris on a bike – local man’s charity mission

A Melksham man has completed a 334-mile London to Paris bike ride and raised £5,328 for Motor Neurone Disease Association, following his brother’s diagnosis of the disease in 2020 – despite not even owning a bike.

Russell Crocker took on the challenge after his brother, Richard, who lived with symptoms for over a year, was diagnosed.

Russell said, “The aim was to raise money for the MND Association and to raise awareness of the disease. My brother is very proud and impressed with the amount raised. The challenge went really well and was really enjoyable. The weather was good, there was a little bit of rain at the start but nice and sunny after that.

“Arriving in Paris and cycling along the Champs-Elysées and around the Arc de Triomphe before heading to finish under the Eiffel Tower was my highlight.”

Cycling long distances was something Russell had never done before and said he didn’t even own a bike before signing up for the event.

He said, “I had never done long distances before so had to get some training in and cycle as many miles as possible. I didn’t even own a bike when I signed up to it. The hardest parts were Croydon to Dover and then navigating the traffic around Paris!”

Russell cycled as part of a group of cyclists embarking on the challenge together. He said, “I was made to feel welcome by the whole tour and made some great friends along the way.”

It doesn’t stop there as next year, Russell plans to embark on a long-distance cycle from London to Amsterdam.