We should probably start by recapping what exactly the Tour21 is. A year after retiring from professional football, ex-Crystal Palace and England legend Geoff Thomas was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. Thanks to the amazing efforts of his medical team, Geoff went on to make a full recovery. He was, however, left with an overwhelming urge to repay those credited with saving his life, so he decided to take on an endurance challenge quite unlike any other. Over the course of 21 days (hence the Tour 21 name), cyclists from the UK and beyond would undertake to complete the exact route of that year's Tour de France - all with the aim of raising funds for Cure Leukaemia. The event has since come to be dubbed the Tour21, and takes place three weeks in advance of the world's most iconic multi-stage race.
As two of the events ride captains, Andy Cook and Hayden Groves act as mentors to the everyday heroes taking part. With both having completed the Tour21 multiple times, their advice and experience is invaluable to riders who are forced to push mind and body to the absolute limit and beyond day after day. All whilst experiencing the heart-soaring highs and soul-crushing lows as they attempt to cover the 3500km+ distance from Bilbao to Paris in just 21 days.
At the conclusion of the Tour21, every participant will be eligible to purchase a limited edition Ultra SL R, with all monies being donated to Cure Leukaemia. This Alumni Edition is our World-Tour worthy aero bike and is decked out with top-tier componentry and a sublime Custom Colour design. As a homage to Geoff's career playing for Crystal Palace FC the Alumin edition incorprates the tradional club colours of Blue and Red. The pearlescent white paintwork is overlaid with 24-carat gold leaf lettering and embellished with Tour 21 and Cure Leukaemia logos.
Above. The Ultra SL R Alumni Edition is kitted out with a top-tier specification that includes, Shimano's flagship Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groupset, Zipp 454 NSW carbon wheels and of course, our groundbreaking Ultra SL R handlebars.
Hayden Groves - Chef
Since the tender age of 15, Hayden has dedicated his life to becoming one of the UK's most respected chefs. He worked in local hotels and restaurants whilst studying at Hertford Regional College, honing his skills in preparation for a remarkable career that has been nothing short of stratospheric in its trajectory. His culinary skills have led to him being awarded with multiple accolades, including National Chef of the Year (a certain chef by the name of Gordon Ramsey is a previous award recipient), and led to him taking charge of multiple kitchens, cooking for celebrities and several members of the royal family including our very own late departed Queen Elizabeth II.
But its on-bike exploits that has led to his involvement with the Tour 21. A keen amateur cyclist that has raced at regional and national level, Hayden is no stranger to the harsh demands of cycling vast distances. We caught up with Hayden as he crossed the channel by ferry on the way to the start line in Bilbao.
Hi Hayden, how did you become incolved with the Toru 21 and Cure Leukaemia? It was back in 2014, when I saw Geoff's (ex-England football international Geoff Thomas) tweet about wanting to get a team together to ride the TdF 2015 route the day before the pros. I was desperate to get involved and the rest, as they say, is history....
You've been involved with Tour21 since the earliest days, what's changed most in the interim? We've seen a lot more international interest - a by product of the NBC short documentaries, and this year, in parrticular, we have riders from the USA taking part.
What makes you keep coming back for more? This will be my fifth Tour de France start, and in addition to the Giro & Vuelta in 2017, I guess I just love a challenge! Every year the cast and stages creat a different story, chapter and memories. I've proudly been a patron of this amazing charity since 2018 and from 2022 I've also taken on the role of ride captain and ambassador alongside Andy Cook cycling. I want to keep sharing my enthusiasm for the event and help it grow year on year, thereby ensuring we continue to exceed our collective fundraising targets.
Describe your favourite Tour21 moment or stage ride? After 126 of them it’s hard to chose. But it would definitely have to be sunny, no wind and in the mountains for sure, with a few epic sweeping descents, of course!
And worst? Cold, rain and headwinds definitely make me sad!
How do you prepare for an event like this and do you have any rituals? Trying to be fit, healthy and fresh, not over trained and fatigued before we start. This is not easy when you hold down a job that involves a lot of standing on your feet all day. This year has been particularly challenging, and unfortunately I suffered a training crash at the end of May, where I tore a lateral ligament in my ankle, so not just a few weeks of missed training. I’m very conscience of ensuring that heals before the event gets underway etc.
How does your family react to the news you are taking on yet another challenge? I think they are just conditioned to it all now. I check in regularly with my wife and daughters over FaceTime. Mothers worry no matter how old you get 😁!
Will they be there cheering you on at the finish? No, not in person. But hopefully in their thoughts. They were there in Paris in ‘15, and Milan when I finished the Giro, & Madrid for the Vuelta in 2017.
What are you feeling when you cross that finish line? It doesn’t matter how many times you see The Eiffel Tower, it’s special as you roll into Paris, proud of the collective efforts of the riders & support crew, it was extra special in 2021 I was alongside Geoff with the Arc de Triomphe in view & we smashed that million fundraising target on those cobbles, it was a great team celebration that evening!
And at the start? Anxious, excited, nervous. I absorb all of that from the riders & try & relax them with a bit of humour, & say ‘who wants to go on a bike ride’ underneath we all have the same fears, but as a ride leader you have to portray that aura of confidence & we’ll be just fine, it’s just pedalling bike!
What bike will you be riding during this year’s edition? A medium Ribble Endurance SLR, with zipp 303 wheels, & Di2 11speed 11-28, riding 28mm tyres for a little more comfort.
What does recovery after a particularly gruelling stage look like? Normally - straight after would be, recovery drink, CRX compression socks, some carbs on the bus journey, plenty of fluids. A massage & then dinner, and bed. This year, I’ll be super aware of the ankle so all of the above and an ice pack 👍
How do you motivate yourself when you’re on a bad day? ‘Don’t give me an easy stage, just the strength to endure a difficult one’. Remembering why & what we are doing it for, our pain is often short lived & a good meal, & nights sleep & we go again, but those that are suffering with treatment don’t have such a luxury.
What first got you into cycling? Inspired by the 89 Tour de France, & I raced as a junior, espoir & a senior, until work took over
How does cycling fit into an otherwise busy work schedule? Sometimes It doesn’t, & it’s all about making time for it.
What’s your dream ride look like? Riding with like minded individuals, sharing the road, experiences & of course maybe a cheeky beer, and tasty plate of food afterwards
And your cycling hell? 180km into a block headwind!
18. Do you keep track of how much you personally have raised for Cure Leukaemia? Yes; prouder of this than anything I’ve done professionally as a chef or a rider. To date, it's almost £250,000 personally.
It’s grim out, do you hit the turbo or venture out anyway? Before, I would go out in most weathers -0 temperatures, & the like. Now … I’m a little older (try to be wiser!) an hour + on Zwift, you can really work on key elements of your fitness. I’d rather miss a few hours training at Z2 out in the real world in tricky conditions, than miss several weeks with a crash !
What sort of cyclist would you describe yourself as? Rouleur, puncheur, climbed etc. A ‘Trier’ :). But if I had to choose, I guess I’d be considered a Puncheur.
What’s next? Tomorrow’s stage! x
Andy Kelly - Cycling Coach
Andy Cook is a life long cyclist who started riding a penny farthing as a teenager. By the age of 21 he had already aachieved the remarkable feat of qualifying for membership of the 300,000 mile club. He has since gone on to hold key psoitions at the top echelons of the sport, including president of the UCI's "Cycling for All" commission, as well as senior positions at British Cycling and Cycling UK. For the last 25 years, Andy and wife Jacqui have run Andy Cook Cycling - a company that organises events for businesses, public sector organisations and charities.
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