Ceredigion father and son cycling from London to Paris

Ian and Daniel Ramsbottom, from Betws Ifan, began the challenge on Thursday, September 4, as part of the Royal British Legion’s annual Pedal to Paris charity bike ride.

The event supports the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity.

The duo are part of a group of 150 Armed Forces veterans, serving personnel, and volunteers taking part in the ride, which began at London’s Biggin Hill.

The route travels through the Kent countryside to Dover, before crossing to Calais and continuing through the French towns of Abbeville and Beauvais in the Somme.

Riders arrived in Paris on September 7, finishing along the Champs-Élysées at the Arc de Triomphe.

Ian Ramsbottom said: “The RBL as a charity has always been prominent to me.

“When we’ve done rides in the area or when we’ve taken part in local carnivals, we always saw the RBL there, taking part in processions or having a stand that people could go up to.

“Myself and Daniel were talking the other day about why we started this, and the answer was we always saw a presence from the RBL.

“And with both of us working in the defence industry for so long, the RBL is the natural choice charity for us to support.”

Both men have close ties to the Armed Forces community.

Ian works for defence company QinetiQ in Aberporth, while Daniel is an acting squadron leader in the RAF.

Ian said: “Daniel cycles for the RAF and loves being a ride captain on Pedal to Paris.

“I’m in his riders group this year, so I’m hoping he can look after me.”

Now in its 29th year, Pedal to Paris is the longest-running London to Paris charity bike ride and has raised more than £9 million for the Royal British Legion.

The money supports veterans, serving personnel, and their families.

Daniel is one of 21 volunteer riders helping to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

Teresa Greener, spokesperson for the Royal British Legion, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming nearly 130 participants to our 29th annual Royal British Legion Pedal to Paris ride.

“It’s so inspiring to see riders from across the country come together to show their support for the Armed Forces community.

“In the last year, we’ve been able to provide support to over 22,000 service personnel and their families, and we’re only able to continue doing that with the help of the money raised by people taking part in events like this.”

Those wishing to sponsor Ian can do so via his Pedal to Paris fundraising page.