Niftylift Sponsors Raid Alpine 2022
On 4th July 2022, Niftylift's Development Director, Steve Redding, is taking on the Cure Parkinson’s Raid Alpine challenge!
Friday 1 July 2022
Niftylift is sponsoring this year's Raid Alpine 2022 and our very own, Steve Redding, takes on the challenge with Patron Mike Tindall MBE and fellow 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Iain Balshaw MBE.
Ahead of the 6 days of cycling, we've asked Steve to answer a few questions:
Tell us a little about yourself...
My name is Steve Redding. I am Development Director for Niftylift Ltd in Milton Keynes. I love a challenge and am a keen cyclist.
What is Raid Alpine 2022?
On July 04th, I will be taking on the Cure Parkinson’s Raid Alpine challenge, cycling from the shores of Lake Geneva through the Alpes to Antibes on the French Riviera. The challenge is to cover a distance of 770km in 6 days, with a massive 18,000m of vertical ascent (over twice the height of Everest).
Why have you decided to get involved and take on such a big challenge?
In June of 2019, a group of us took on the Raid Pyrenean challenge to raise awareness of the Cure Parkinson Trust (CPT) and to help raise money to help find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
In 2020, we decided to up the ante to do the Raid Alpine. Then the pandemic happened. After another false dawn last year, we are now all set to go next week. As in 2019, we will be joined by CPT Patron, 2003 RWC winners Mike Tindall & Iain Balshaw as we ride 770km through the Alps.
The last two years have been incredibly challenging for CPT with fundraising activity limited due to the Pandemic. Cure Parkinson’s Trust receives no government funding and solely relies on the support of people like you and me to raise funds to support its purpose, to find a cure. An incredible charity that funds cutting-edge Parkinson’s research uniting the world’s leading scientists and clinicians and exists solely to raise money to fund research to find a cure for this debilitating disease.
How have you been preparing for the challenge?
Not exactly possessing a climber’s physique, or even that of a cyclist to mention that I have been trying to get in as many miles as I can and trying to lose weight to help combat the tough terrain. Unfortunately, living in Hertfordshire doesn’t quite allow for the ideal terrain to train for such a challenge and so many hours have also been spent in the garage on my turbo trainer riding up virtual mountains on Zwift on those dark winter nights.
What are you least excited about/most worried about?
Bad back and knee and potential bad weather.
What are you most excited about?
The terrain will be tough, but absolutely stunning and hopefully, if the weather is kind, we will pass over some of the iconic cols of the Tour de France including the Galibier, the Izoard and the Cime de la Bonette - at over 2800m the highest paved road in the Alps.
How are you feeling now that it is just around the corner?
Very nervous about whether my body will hold out!!!!
Where can we find more information?
More info on this official Raid challenge and the route can be found at https://marmot-tours.co.uk/holidays/cpt-raid-alpine-ns-2022/
Any donations to the link below will help to fund Cure Parkinson's research with the potential to slow, stop or reverse Parkinson's.
Thank you.