Steve Truluck

I’ve been on a few charity cycle rides now but none are likely to compare to this! London to Chamonix 2010 was the closest but that involved cycling to the Alps – this time we are going over them and cycling double the distance.

I can’t wait to get started in August and I’m massively looking forward to the adventure as it unfolds whilst taking in the scenery, the wildlife, the banter, getting to know James, seeing Kyle in the support van when I need him to be there and most importantly raising a substantial amount of money for 2 very worthwhile charities. I wonder what’s going to happen to us this year?!!

I am not looking forward to 2 weeks worth of George’s jokes, Stu’s idea of an ‘easy day’, Stu’s shortcuts (road bikes are not designed for cornfields!), cycling on unexpected sections of dual-carriageways, strong headwinds (especially if downwind from Paul), Adrian’s snoring, trying to find Paul’s mobile phone (this will be the 3^rd one he’s lost out cycling) and being anywhere near Paul when he forgets to unclip his feet from his pedals (esp. in a busy McDonalds car-park!!).

George Owen

Hi, my name is George Owen.  I am 37 and am currently working as a Data Analyst for a large City law firm.  I have enjoyed cycling since I was young.  At University I could often be found cycling up hills in the Lake District, and cycling was my only means of transport for years. Before training for the Tour de Farce I felt it was time to change the 2inch nobbly tyres for the 2cm slicks.   After successfully completing the Tour de Farce I am really looking forward to tackling twice the distance and some quite serious mountains.    

Stewart Broome

­­Hi my name is Stewart Broome. I am 36, and currently work as a Licensing Officer. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease 9 years ago which resulted in me having to have surgery. A number of things changed following this, but I have to say mostly for the better. I decided to put fitness, and diet, at the forefront of my life. Cycling was the obvious sport to get into, as I had cycled a lot as a kid, and really enjoyed it.

London to Chamonix 2010 was the first major challenge I completed, and having taken 2011 off (unless you count cycling from Newcastle to Edinburgh and back in a weekend) I can’t wait to take on Rome to Home in 2012!

James Nanji

Hi, my name is James Nanji, and I'm 24

I work as a Commercial Analyst for Ricoh Europe and am currently studying management accountancy. In my spare time I play a lot of sport, mainly football, badminton, running, and of course cycling. I'm always looking for a new challenge. This year I completed my first marathon in Paris and am looking to top that with Rome to Home in 2012. 

Summer 2010, I decided I would cycle to work to save money and improve fitness. I purchased a steel framed, single speed bike (named Fiona) and instantly fell in love with cycling. I have now purchased a road bike specifically for this event and can't wait for it to start.

Why do Rome to Home 2012? Last Christmas my Mum and I wrote down a list of goals we wanted to achieve. One of mine was to cycle through Europe. I was inspired by what my Uncle and the lads achieved last year in the Tour de Farce and insisted he included me in the next one.

Two very worthy charities have been chosen and I hope we can raise loads of money, so please give generously. 

Paul Nanji

Hi, I'm Paul Nanji and I'm 43

I work for Chiltern District Council in Amersham and manage the leisure and Community team . My professional career is very much linked to enjoying sport, which has always played a really important part in my life. I have been cycling for only three years and taking part in the Tour de Farce in 2010 was a fantastic experience. Myself, Stuart, Steve, Kyle and George cycled across France raising money for two fantastic charities, namely, Marie Curie and Crohns and Colitis UK. Cycling from Rome to Home is twice the distance and will be a massive challenge but with a lot of training and the support of the my team mates I am sure I will manage to complete the task, and most importantly raise funds for our chosen charities, Help for Heroes and Motor Neurone Disease Association. 

On a personal level raising funds for the Motor Neurone Association is particularly important to me. I lost my mother-in-law Lynne to the disease in May 2011 and experienced first hand the devastating impact this illness has on the patient and their family.