Andy Cook and Hayden Groves - Tour 21 Ride Captain's in Focus

Images: Joolz Dymond.

As Tour 21 inexorably draws to a close on the exalted avenues of the French capital, we wanted to take a moment to recognise two of the Ride Captains who, along with the amazing event crew, dedicate three weeks of their life to supporting those everyday heroes who battle their way over some of Europe's most forbidding terrain in their quest to raise £1m for Cure Leukaemia.

We should probably take the time to recap what exactly the Tour21 is, and just what it entails. 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 incredible medical team, Geoff survived and went on to make a full recovery. Like many survivors in his position, Geoff was overcome with the urge to repay the team of professionals credited with saving his life. But it couldn't just be any old challenge, it had to be something spectacular. A chance comment from a friend led Geoff to undertake an endurance challenge quite unlike any other. To ride the exact same route that the World Tour pros would face in that year's Tour De France.

And the Tour21 was born. The rest, as they say, is history. Originally, the event was limited to cyclists from the UK. People from all walks of life who had either lost someone to this terrible disease or had previously been struck down themselves. However, with NBC Sports involvement in 2021, people from across the pond in the US have taken part in the last couple of editions. All with their own personal reasons for wanting to raise monies for a Cure Leukaemia charity that annually funds pioneering trials and research into life-saving treatment in the ongoing battle against blood cancer. Set over 21 days, the event has recently been christened 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 mentor those everyday heroes taking part. Having both completed the Tour21 on multiple occasions, their experience, advice and general bonhomie proves invaluable to riders who are suffering the highest highs and soul crushing lows as they push themselves beyond their mental and physical limits. Day in, day out, for three weeks.

Donate to Cure Leukaemia today to help the team reach and surpass their £1m goal https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/TheTour21in2023?mc_cid=8e8dc50346&mc_eid=68bee4fbbd

Above Image: Andy and Hayden lead the bunch through a real pea-souper aboard their Endurance SL R's (issued to each ride captain), as they traverse the testing gradients of the Pyrenees.

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 bedecked with top-tier componentry and a sublime Custom Colour design. This bespoke paint scheme pays homage to Geoff's career time at Crystal Palace FC, incorporating the traditional club colours of Blue and Red. Giving this exclusive design that extra 'x-factor' is a pearlescent white main frame 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.

Hi Hayden, how did you become involved with the Tour 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 particular, 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 create 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. 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 choose. 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; 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. You are 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 certainly 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 project that aura of confidence & we’ll be just fine attitude. After all, it’s just pedalling a bike!

What bike will you be riding during this year’s edition? A medium Ribble Endurance SL R, with Zipp 303 wheels, & Di2 11-speed 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, dinner and then bed. This year, I’ll be super aware of the ankle so all of the above plus 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. But it's all about making time for it.

What’s your dream ride look like? Riding with like minded individuals, sharing the road, experiences and maybe a cheeky beer, of course, followed by a tasty plate of food afterwards.

And your cycling hell? 180km into a block headwind!

Do you keep track of how much you personally have raised for Cure Leukaemia? Yes. I'm 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, and the like. Now … I’m a little older and try to be wiser! An hour + on Zwift, and 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

How did you first become involved with the Tour21 and Cure Leukaemia? I first met Geoff back in 2005 when he was preparing for his first Tour. I was working for British Cycling at that time but running an annual two-week Bike Camp in Mallorca. He came along to that via Tim Lawson from SIS energy products. We became good friends straight away. I had a meeting with Geoff and James in 2019 regarding the potential to take Geoff’s previous tour forays to another level. Covid scuppered the 2020 event despite us having planned all the hotels etc. However, in that year the relationship with ASO was made and as such the charity became the first official UK charity of the tour. The 2021 event went ahead with about ten days’ notice due to restrictions being lifted regarding Covid regulations and the rest as they say is history,

You’ve been involved with Tour 21 since the earliest days, what’s changed most in the interim? The increased interest from potential riders due to the publicity generated by the NBC Sport videos. This has led to a hugely increased number of potential riders wanting to take part, particularly from North America.

**What makes you keep coming back for more? ** I guess the simple answer is my passion and love for our sport. My motivation is simple; as a lifelong cyclist I want to make sure that others gain the same love and passion as I have after so many years of racing, organising, and coaching in cycling.

Describe your favourite Tour21 moment or stage ride? The elation of riding down the Champs Elysees in 2021, knowing that the team were all safe, but that very day we had managed to hit the £1 million target. It was a tight group that year due to Covid restrictions still being in place making it a very special shared experience.

And worst? When riders have to abandon or step off. Last year a rider contracted Covid, and it was heart breaking to see him leave the team and return to the UK. That rider is a special person who has done a huge amount for the charity, which made it all the worse.

How do you prepare for an event like this, and do you have any rituals? I guess that I am lucky that as an old-fashioned traditional club cyclist I get lots of base miles, particularly at the Lanzarote and Mallorca Camps that I run in the springtime and which help get me into shape. The biggest challenge is the personal admin, packing and unpacking each day to move to the next stage.

How does your family react to the news you are taking on yet another challenge? I am blessed that my wife is herself a lifelong cyclist from a cycling family. She does a huge amount of work in the background to help sort the hotels and general logistics in the lead up to and during the event. Turning 60 and becoming a Grandad a few days before I left for France meant leaving this time was a tiny bit harder but at least I got to hold and see my first Grandchild before leaving.

Will they be there cheering you on at the finish? As such an integral part of the team, Jacqui will be with us all in Paris next weekend, so that she can be thanked in person for all her hard work. I can’t wait to see her.

What are you feeling when you cross that finish line? Mostly relief if I am truly honest, but also proud of the team of riders and staff for taking on such a herculean challenge. It’s a real honour and a privilege to lead such a group of inspirational people.

And at the start? The feelings at the start are always a mixture of excitement and trepidation but also the huge amount of responsibility as a ride captain.

What bike will you be riding during this year’s edition? A wonderful Ribble Endurance SL R

What does recovery after a particularly gruelling stage look like? Getting changed as quickly as possible. If it’s a transfer then working out timings for dinner, the following days fuelling stops, time of departure etc and communicating that information to the riders and staff via the various WhatsApp groups. Shower, dinner, wash out clothes and then sleep.

How do you motivate yourself when you’re on a bad day? Think about all those poor souls suffering from blood cancer that may never get the opportunity to witness the incredible sights that we do when taking part in such a challenge.

What first got you into cycling? I come from a family of club cyclists. My grandparents came from North London originally and rode bikes which they passed on to my dear old dad who is now 88. In fact, I went for a short ride with him just prior to leaving for France. “It’s in the blood”. I very often use the phrase “It’s only a bike ride”, not to be derogatory about whichever ride I am referring to but to help keep it all in perspective. I recall returning from a national race at some stage in the 80’s or 90’s having not done as well as I hoped, and I remember my Dad saying that to me. It stuck and I say it a lot to help keep it real.

How does cycling fit into an otherwise busy work schedule? Jacqui and I run Andy Cook Cycling, so our passion is our business. I feel blessed to be able to do what I do. It’s a real lifestyle business.

What’s your dream ride look like? A wonderful sunny day, with a gentle tail wind, a great group of trusted friends/mates and a couple of coffee stops along the way.

And your cycling hell? Trying to maintain a tight group with a couple of riders keen to “push on” and not understanding the value that they could add by helping to control the speed for the good of the entire group. Some people “get it” others don’t……

**Do you keep track of how much you have personally raised for Cure Leukaemia? ** I guess in a way I could argue that being responsible for the entire Tour21 teams over the last three years we’re getting close to £3 million. I continue to be inspired by the stories from the riders and the amounts that they raise to support this charity.

It’s grim out, do you hit the turbo or venture out anyway? I have always hated indoor cycling with a passion. I keep trying to get into it and even the explosion of indoor cycling and the various interactive Apps that happened because of Covid, I still couldn’t get my head around it. If it’s already raining, I may not go out these days, But riding in the rain doesn’t faze me if it starts once I’m out. Some of my best rides have been when it’s been pouring down. They become the ‘Epic’ days that you remember.

**What sort of cyclist would you describe yourself as? Rouleur, puncheur etc. ** With a long background in long distance time trialling and having ridden Tour of Normandy I guess I am more of a Rouleur. I am too heavy these days to get over the climbs anyway and was never a pure climber.

What’s next? We get home on Monday and then it’s all systems go on the Tour of the Taps organisation. A 10-day Cure Leukaemia event riding between the ten TAP centres starting in Belfast and finishing in Birmingham. 100 miles a day……..

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London to Paris is another annual charity ride organised by Cure Leukaemia. Meet Nigel Murray and Mark Treacey, just two of the everyday heroes who took time out of their lives to raise to funds for the charity. Read their stories [here. ](https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/blog/london-2-paris/.

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