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The London-Paris is a rapidly growing cycle tour gaining an increasing number of riders and supporters year on year. It’s a fantastic challenge ride which promises to be ever tougher for 2008. Last year some of the strongest riders were women and one female rider in particular decided she wanted to make a display of just how strong the feminine side of the sport currently is.
2007 L2P rider Rachel Przybylski gathered a group of cyclists, including GB tri star Vanessa Raw for a few laughs, a photo shoot, and some fun with smoke machines. The outcome is the London-Paris 2008 Calendar displaying some pretty stunning photography from Michael Blann, complete with a touch of lycra, and you can get your hands on a copy here.
Event founder Sven Thiele said; “This calendar has been inspired by Rachel Przybylski who rode L2P 2007 and who will once again be leading the ladies forward to the new challenges in 2008! Exposure of women in cycling is almost non existent. Rachel, with this calendar has shown us the juxtaposition of the hard willed women who ride the L2P and the softer, feminine side whilst also assisting our charities around the world. Our thanks to the continued support of Sigma Sports and to Adidas in producing this wonderful 2008 calendar which we hope will inspire and entertain you in equal measure.”
Rachel Przybylski continued; “The event itself was a challenge from start to finish and I raised over £5000, giving myself another challenge in the process, beat that figure next year! But, exactly how do you make people part with cash a second time round? Maybe a sweetener of some kind would work and so the idea of this calendar was born.”
“I was struck by the determination and strength of the women participants. No lipstick and high heels, just girls who mean business on their bikes but we can be glamorous too and what better way to promote women’s cycling and persuade all the men that sponsored me and the other ladies on the Tour, to part with even more money for a good cause!
“Girls, Lycra… let me see… a calendar is born!”
All for a good cause
“The London-Paris Cycle Tour started its life with a desire to show riders who had never experienced the rigours of a professional cyclist’s life the true spirit of the Grand Tours, most especially the Tour de France.” Said Sven.
“The London-Paris Cycle Tour has supported charities across South East Asia and in Africa since its inception. Its riders have raised tens of thousands of pounds helping children into education, their families out of poverty and in collaboration with the events many generous long term sponsors, endeavoured to increase the opportunities for young people around the world. All effort and time has been donated free of charge and all profits after paying for the printing of the calendars goes to our 2008 charities.”
“2008 will see the greatest London-Paris Cycle Tour to date with the route paying homage to the great single day cobbled classics of northern France and Belgium before finishing, appropriately, at the Eiffel Tower in the heart of the French capital.”
To find out more about the event and the supported charities read more here. And those calendars are selling like hot-cakes so get your hands on one here now.
