“My birthday and Gareth’s were a week apart. When we were growing up we had our parties on consecutive weekends,” recalls Sam Cleare, who is about to cycle nearly 700km in memory of his friend and in aid of Mountbatten Isle of Wight.
Sam’s billed the challenge: as ‘One week, One unfit man (nearing 40), One old bike, One legendary man to dedicate it to.’
The challenge
This October, the teacher will solo cycle National Cycle Network Route 4, from Greenwich in London all the way to Fishguard in west Wales. Stops along the way will include Windsor, Pewsey in Wiltshire, Bristol, Caerphilly, Swansea and Pembroke Dock.
A £50 bike from Facebook Marketplace
His transport will be a second-hand purchase from Facebook marketplace which cost him £50, five years ago.
How to donate to Sam’s challenge
To donate to Sam’s challenge, visit his GoFundMe page.
In memory of Gareth
His inspiration is his childhood friend, Gareth, who died in June 2025, in the care of Isle of Wight hospice charity, Mountbatten Isle of Wight. Along the way, Sam will be supported by his family, Gareth’s family and a host of friends.
Sam wanted a physical challenge to mark his 40th birthday and he decided to go big. He says he is definitely not a cyclist and knows this will be a significant undertaking, tackled over seven legs.
How the idea began
The idea first came to him while walking along a disused railway-line (part of cycle route four), behind his dad’s house in the south Wales city of Swansea.
Sam said,
“I said, I wonder where this cycle route goes to? We Googled it and I was like, ‘oh, that would be a really amazing thing to do one day!’
“It’s getting frighteningly close now. It’s 50 to 60 miles per day. I’ve looked at what other people have done in the past. I’ve got my accommodation sorted for each night.
“Cycling is not my thing. I don’t have the Lycra and the sporty bike. It’s just me and my backpack and the road, basically.”
Dates and how to donate
Sam will set off on 17th October 2026 and aims to complete his challenge on 23rd October 2026, during the half term break.
How to donate to Sam’s challenge
To donate to Sam’s challenge, visit his GoFundMe page.
News shared by Lucy on behalf of Mountbatten. Ed
