Chris’s cycling challenge

Doncaster cyclist Chris Lukins has signed up for a tough sponsored cycling challenge in memory of a much-loved family member.

Chris, from Rossington, will in April 2023 take part in the muscle-sapping Etape Loch Ness Cycle Sportive – a 66-mile traffic-free grueller around Scotland’s iconic Loch Ness, finishing in the Highland capital of Inverness.

Chris, who will be 60 next month, is fund raising for our hospice as a thank you for the “fantastic care” his mother-in-law Valerie Adamson – also from Rossington – received from us before losing her battle with cancer.

Former RAF man Chris started cycling 28 years ago, initially on a mountain bike, before taking up road racing three years ago, but says the Scottish route will be nothing like pedalling around the Doncaster area.

“The King of the Mountain section of the sportive is a real tester, a nearly five-mile stretch, climbing over 1,200 feet with a gradient of 12 per cent at times. This will be the third time I’ve completed the route in the last 20 months, with my best time being 4hrs 50 mins, said Chris.

“But this it will be the first time I’ve raised money for St John’s, which looked after my mother-in-law so well, so I’m really looking forward to the ride.”

Hospice fundraiser Lindsey Richards said: “Chris typifies the commitment of our fantastic supporters in willing to push himself to the limit to raise money for us. It’s a wonderful gesture and we can’t thank him enough.”

The Etape Lock Ness Cycle Sportive takes place on Sunday 23 April 2023. If you would like to sponsor Chris, please follow this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christopher-lukins