For the second year in a row, BMES President Tony Moore joined the Knights in White Lycra, a group of 50 cyclists who annually embark on a 500km cycle ride across Japan, raising money for charities supporting the education of disadvantaged children.
This year, KIWL are raising funds for Mirai no Mori, a wonderful NPO that creates life-changing outdoor programs for abused, neglected and orphaned children.
Mirai no Mori create lifechanging outdoor experiences for underprivileged children to support their continued growth into happy and successful young adults
On day one of the race, Tony and his peloton of fellow teammates set off from Utsonomiya in Tochigi prefecture to tackle the 157km journey to Koriyama in Fukushima. Spirits were high and the sun was shining, the first day of the tour went off without a hitch!
Day two was a different story. With the close proximity of a well-timed typhoon, the team found themselves cycling 130km through strong winds and heavy rain. They also faced the challenge of a steep climb up Mt. Adatara, boasting an elevation gain of 2,160m! The group bravely persevered, and were almost at the summit of their climb, when suddenly the KIWL support car found itself with a flat tyre, suddenly halting the ascent!
The team changing the support car tyre
With a bit of teamwork and a swift tyre change, they were well on their way again, arriving safely at their planned rest stop in Fukushima, over halfway through their total route.
Days 3 and 4 thankfully brought sun and clear skies. Over both days, the riders covered 215km in total, traveling up the coast of Sendai and then inland to Ichinoseki. The team were also joined British Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, and her husband Richard for the remainder of the race. Every year, the Knights in White Lycra end their 4-day expedition with a visit to a children’s home, the residence of some of the young people supported by the charities they support. This is always a highlight of the trip, and a wonderful way to end the 4 days.
The team reaching their final destination in Ichinoseki
Hearty congratulations to all KIWL members for completing this challenging undertaking and for raising funds for such an excellent cause.
If you’d like to make a donation to Mirai no Mori, a wonderful NPO that creates life-changing outdoor programs for abused, neglected and orphaned children, please click the following link: https://www.globalgiving.org/fundraisers/46399/
No donation is too small, and all are very gratefully appreciated!
If you are interested in learning more about the Knights in White Lycra, or perhaps interested in getting involved in next year’s tour, you can access their website at https://www.kiwl.net/.
Tony Moore on day one of the race
