Mountains for Norfolk: My La Marmotte Challenge

Hi, I’m Ryan and this June, I’m tackling La Marmotte — one of the toughest one-day cycling events in the world. The 173km route through the French Alps includes over 5,000m of climbing across four legendary mountain passes, finishing with the iconic ascent of Alpe d’Huez. It’s a challenge feared even by seasoned cyclists — and certainly the biggest I’ve ever faced.

Following this 2 days later I’ll be ascending the iconic Mont Ventoux which is a climb in the region Provence. It is 20.8km long and bridges 1594 vertical meters with an average gradient of 7.7%, resulting in a difficulty score of 1352. The top of the ascent is located at 1909 meters above sea level.

I first got into cycling in 2016 just for fun, but it quickly became much more than that — a way to stay fit, clear my head, and push myself. This year alone, I’ve ridden over 1,500 miles in training. I’ve always enjoyed cycling for leisure, fitness and wellbeing, but La Marmotte will be a whole new level — physically and mentally.

This ride is especially meaningful to me for a few reasons. In 2018, I suffered a serious sporting injury — a ruptured patella tendon — that left me without the use of my left leg. I spent six months in a full leg cast, wheelchair-bound and uncertain if I’d regain full function. Recovery was long and tough, and that experience makes this ride even more significant. Just being able to attempt it is something I don’t take for granted.

I’m also doing this for my two young children, aged 2 and 4. I work hard to stay fit and active for them — to be a present, energetic parent. I’ve already seen the impact it’s had: my 4-year-old is quickly becoming a keen little cyclist himself. I hope that through this challenge, I can show them the value of resilience, commitment, and doing something bigger than yourself.

I’m riding to raise funds for Voluntary Norfolk, a charity that works tirelessly to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They help individuals who are socially isolated, struggling with loneliness, or facing complex life challenges. Their work includes supporting young carers — children who care for a parent or family member while juggling school and growing up — and providing vital help to people recovering after hospital stays to ensure they aren’t left to cope alone. They also connect people to volunteering opportunities, community groups, and services that can transform their lives.

Voluntary Norfolk helps people find their footing when life gets tough — and every donation helps extend that support to even more who need it.

Every pound you give will make a real difference — not just to me on the bike, but to the people Voluntary Norfolk supports every day. Thank you so much for being part of this journey.

Thanks for your support Ryan