Pedal Power...

A group of skiers decided to organise their own cycling event in memory of Ali Rainback, a BASI instructor who died from a brain tumour in 2008. They decided to donate the proceeds of the event to DSUK. Speaking to the organiser Jeanette Delaney, we found out more about the event:

‘The bike ride takes place every year on the first weekend of September - chosen because it's not too hot and hopefully not too cold, and participants will have had enough time to practise over the summer.  This is the 3rd cycle challenge that we have organised in memory of Ali Rainback.  Ali was an inspiration, a great ski instructor and friend to many, he passed away in June 2008 aged 37 after an 8-month fight against an aggressive brain tumour.  He was a director of New Generation Ski School in Courchevel and a BASI trainer.’

Friends of Ali Rainback and keen cyclists in the 3-valleys areas and beyond decided to take part in this event.  This year we had just over 40 riders; less than the 62 we had last year but it was raining this year!  So I was still pretty impressed with the turnout!  Anyone is invited to take part, as long as they can ride a bike!  Every year there is someone who attempts it on a mountain bike, which is very impressive.  Those who are not able to ride but still want to be involved meet us for a BBQ at the end where we all discuss the ride and have a few laughs together over a beer and a burger.

The route in total was approximately 90kms, from Annecy to Courchevel.  Ali was very lucky to be able to call these two wonderful places his home, as he lived in Courchevel in the winters and Annecy in the summers.  Most people go via the Col de Tamié which involves a gentle (ish!) 400m climb, others go via the flat cycle path around the bottom of the valley.  The big challenge is the climb at the end from Moutiers to Courchevel Le Praz - around an 800m climb, which, coming at the very end of the ride is a bit of a killer! The total amount climbed was 1200m!

This year we set a new record, we left Annecy at 10am and the first to arrive in Courchevel was at 2pm, so a pretty impressive time!

Every entrant paid 20 euros which covered transport to Annecy, 2 support vehicles and a BBQ at the end, with all profits going to Disability Snowsport UK.

Myself and Matthew Cooke from New Generation organised the event with lots of help from volunteers (people making flapjacks, driving riders to the start, support vehicles, BBQ chefs)!

The best bit about the event was the comradery, the banter - all of it.  Everybody getting together to remember a remarkable man.  The fact that there haven't been any serious injuries!

We’re already keen to do it again, and it's already pencilled in for next year!

What does it mean to support DSUK?

Living in the Alps we are all very keen skiers; most of the riders are snow sports instructors.  We are amazed and inspired by all the disabled skiers we see on the slopes and want to give something back to them all to help them achieve more