|  |  |  | | | | Team mates cycling across America in memory of their mothers | | | | |
| |  Andrew Wyeth and Matt Dowse
Release Date: 8 July 2008
Andrew Wyeth and Matt Dowse are gearing up for a grueling 3,000-mile bicycle ride across America. They are flying out on 12 July to undertake the epic journey in memory of their mothers who both died of cancer. The pair are raising money for Leukaemia Research, The Royal Marsden Hospital and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
They will cross the US from coast to coast in just 12-15 days, through four different time zones, aiming to cycle 200-250 miles a day at an average of 20 miles an hour - twice the distance professionals average per stage during the Tour de France!
Starting in San Diego, their route takes them through the deserts of California, over The Rockies, across the Great Plains, over The Appalachians, and finally to Atlantic City.
Matt Dowse, 37, is vice-chairman of South West London-based Rosslyn Park and captain of their second XV. He also captained the Rosslyn Park 7s team to victory in the 2007 'Presidents Cup' at Twickenham, which acted as a curtain raiser for the final of the Middlesex 7s.
Andrew Wyeth, 40, coaches the second XV and 7s teams and played for Rosslyn Park's first team, who are now in National League 3, when they were in the top flight of English rugby in the late 1980s and early 1990s. When an Achilles injury ended his rugby career in 2004, he took up triathlons and this training should be invaluable for the punishing challenge that lies ahead.
Andrew, Director of Sport at a school in Surrey, and Matt, who works in the City, should be used to spectacular challenges by now - they cycled the 1,000-mile journey from Lands End to John O'Groats in eight days during the summer of 2005.
Andrew and Matt's drive and determination is fuelled by personal tragedy. Gwyneth Wyeth, Andrew's mum, suffered from myeloma and passed away in December 2001, aged 68.
Andrew explains, "My mother sacrificed much, as most parents do, so that her children could grow up to enjoy their lives to the full. Leukaemia Research is a cause very close to my heart and I hope that by raising money, I can help future patients achieve a more successful outcome. "
Matt's mum, Pippa Dowse, was diagnosed with cancer of the womb in 2002, which she thought she had defeated. "Unfortunately, in 2004 a tumour was found on the outside of her colon which spread to her liver and kidneys," explains Matt. "She eventually lost her battle against cancer in May 2005 aged 66, but The Royal Marsden Hospital in London provided not only a great deal of expertise, but also support and compassion during tough times. "
London bike shop prologue bikes is helping the pair by donating all the bikes and equipment they need to complete the journey.
To sponsor the pair in their fundraising efforts, please visit their website: www.justgiving.com/usacoast2coast2008.
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