27 intrepid cyclists left Canterbury Cathedral early on the 10th August to pedal 2,000 km to Rome – this was the feast-day of St Laurence, who was martyred in Rome in 258 AD by being roasted on a grid iron: as the cyclists make their painful way towards Rome over the next 16 days, they may feel that Lawrence had the easier time!

At 7.00 am, the team was blessed by the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Robert Willis, outside the main door of the Cathedral; then he and the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Cyril Windsor, plus a large group of friends and well wishers bid the riders bon voyage as they started the leg to Dover, a ferry to France, and then onwards to Béthune for the first day's travelling. The team will be raising over £100,000 for charities, half of which will go to the Save Canterbury Cathedral appeal. Each rider will also give 50% of his or her sponsorship to an individual second charity. Each cyclist has put in at least 100 hours of training covering 1000 miles in preparation. This is equivalent to the team cycling at least once around the world. The highest point reached will be the top of the Grand St Bernard Pass at 2469 metres (8101 ft) above sea level and the climbs covered will be the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest three times.

The cyclists taking part are aged between 16 and 66. They include a Crown Court Judge, the Chief Executive of Canterbury City Council, a car dealer, a professor of music, a teacher, a medical consultant and students; the group is being led by Canon Ed Condry, the Treasurer of Canterbury Cathedral.

There is still time to offer to support this heroic venture by contacting the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal office on 01227 865346 or going to the website: http://www.canterburycathedral.org/fundraising/donations.htm

Notes to Editors

More details, including blogs and information on all of the riders, can be found at http://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/RomeBikeRide.htm

The Via Francigena was the major pilgrimage route to Rome during medieval times; today pilgrims still travel this route – indeed, in recent years, there has been renewed interest in pilgrimage routes across Europe. The route was first documented in the 10 th Century when Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, travelled to Rome in order to receive a pallium from the Pope; this was a Y shaped woollen vestment covered with crosses that was a symbol of being an archbishop.

The other charities being supported by the cyclists are: Cancer Research UK, Christian Aid, Demelza House, Farm Africa, Footprints, Kent Air Ambulance, Lady Mayoress's of Canterbury Charity, League of Friends of Kent & Canterbury Hospital, MacMillan Cancer Support, Pilgrims Hospices of East Kent, Romanian Relief UK, Royal Marsden Hospital, St Margaret's Hospice Somerset, Save Canterbury Cathedral, Southern Housing Foundation, and Thanet Citizens' Advice Bureau