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'MAMIL' Matt takes on a 'monster' challenge for charity
Matt Laycock, the head of profit protection for Halfords, is gearing up for the monster challenge of the Etape Loch Ness 2024, an endurance 66-mile cycle around one of Scotland’s most famous and scenic tourist landmarks, to raise money for cancer charity MacMillan.
Although not in search of the mythical Nessie, he is chasing his own stamina demons as a MAMIL, (middle-aged man in lycra) attempting to tackle the 4000 ft climbs that makes the over-subscribed challenge one of the toughest on the cycling calendar.
Taking place on 28 April 2024, Matt will be joined by thousands of riders participating in the gruelling ‘closed road’ challenge which takes in some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery.
Matt, who lives near Banbury, Oxfordshire, spends his days protecting cycle stocks for the UK’s largest bike retailer but has been spending his winter weekends in the saddle in and around Warwickshire and the Cotswold hills to prepare for the race.
“I have always loved going out on my bike during my leisure time, but I’ve always wanted to do something like this and I’m doing it for a really worthwhile charity,” said Matt.
“We all know someone who has been impacted or touched by the scourge of cancer, so I thought MacMillan, which goes the extra mile for those living with the condition and their families, was a great cause to raise money for.”
“The challenge is daunting, but I’m really looking forward to doing it – it will be hard but really rewarding when I cross the finish line,” he added.
Having already raised more than £700, Matt has set up a JustGiving page for friends, family, work colleagues and industry peers to donate. Anyone who wants to support Matt’s efforts can donate here.
