On July 3, Martyn Jones, a 34-year-old media director from Hertfordshire, will leave the starting line of this year’s Tour de France with the aim of completing every stage of the Grande Boucle – 48 hrs ahead of the race itself.
Martyn suffered from the debilitating illness ME during his younger years and will be riding in support of two charities: the Association of Young People with ME (AYME) and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
“My aim is to ride the entire 2008 Tour de France course in three weeks in the same number of days as the professionals over the exact same course with the kit and logistical support (van and driver) paid for from my own savings,” he said.
Martyn has now left his job to concentrate on preparing for his solo 3,500km challenge which he hopes will raise £30,000 to be divided equally between his two chosen charities.
He describes the challenge as: “three weeks of mind-numbing distance riding over some of the most challenging terrain in Europe taking in its two highest passes, two highest mountain ranges and crossing briefly into neighbouring
Martyn is keen to attract as much support as possible leading up to and during 'Le Tour' so to make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/letour4good or to contact Martyn directly email: mhj_456@yahoo.com
He will be using a Storck Fascenario bike for the ride with the following specification:
Frame: Storck Fascenario 0.7 size 57cm
Fork: THM Carbon UMS Stiletto Light
Bottom bracket: THM Clavicula
Cranks: THM Clavicula Compact, 172.5mm, 34/50T Tune Chainrings
Chain: KMC X-10spd SL Silver
Front derailleur: Sram Red braze-on
Rear derailleur: Sram Red short cage
Front brake: AX Lightness
Rear brake: AX Lightness
Brake levers: Sram Red
Shift levers: Sram Red
Rear sprockets: Sram Red Powerdome, 11-23T
Everyday Wheels: Zipp 404 laced on to Tune Mag Team hubs with Sapim CX Ray spokes
Mountain Wheels: Lightweight Standard Generation III carbon tubluars 16/20 spokes.
Tyres (clinchers): Schwalbe Ultremo clincher 22mm
Tyres (tubulars): Tufo Elite 23mm
Bars: Syntace Racelite Carbon OS, 42cm (c-c)
Stem: Syntace F119, 120mm with titanium hardware
Headset: Acros Ceramic integrated – Storck standard
Tape/grip: Fizik Microtex
Pedals: Speedplay Zero titanium
Seat post: Syntace P6 carbon
Saddle: Fizik Arione CX Carbon
Bottle cages: Storck carbon
Total bike weight: 5kg-ish
Other kit:
Clothing: Assos
Helmet: Giro Ionis
Shoes: Nike Pogio
Computer: Garmin 705
Rider details:
Age: 34
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 72kg