A nine-year-old cyclist who has conquered some of cycling’s toughest climbs will this month tick another item off a list that could have been compiled by someone five times his age – typically with the word ‘bucket’ prefacing it – when he rides from London to Paris.
Last year, Alfie Earl from Islington climbed Italy’s Passo dello Stelvio and France’s Mont Ventoux inside 48 hours. Previously, he had scaled the Col du Tourmalet in the French Pyrenees.
> Nine-year-old boy climbs Ventoux and Stelvio inside 48 hours
And for good measure, Alfie Earl from Islington also plans to ride up the Col du Galibier ahead of his tenth birthday later this year.
On his London to Paris ride, which starts on Saturday 27 May, the St Joan of Arc Primary School pupil will be raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, reports the Islington Gazette.
“I’ve ridden up some of the hardest mountains in the world but this is different because we need to pedal more than 80 miles some days,” said Alfie, who attends St John of Arc Primary School.
“I am determined to prove that we can do it though and when we get to the Champs Elysses I’m going to pull a wheelie.”
Alfie’s parents and his sister Saskia, aged 12, who goes to St Mary Magdalene Academy, will also be taking part in the ride.
She said: “We’re training hard, going on rides in the countryside for 40 or 50 miles almost every weekend.
“I will have a really good go at getting all the way to Paris but it depends on how strong I am.
“I feel nervous because I know what a big thing it is to do but I’m trying to keep that out of my mind and concentrate on how happy I will feel when I see the Eiffel Tower.”
One other member of the family will also be riding some of the route – Alfie and Saskia’s brother Ivan, who is aged eight.
“I am not letting them have all the glory,” he explained.
The family was bitten by the cycling bug when dad Steve rode London to Paris to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital after Ivan had life-saving open heart surgery there when he was aged two and a half.
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11 comments
Absolutely right rnick. Parent pressure is ridiculous. Mine aren't subject to that - they want to push themselves, they love 'winning' at things. London-Paris is about a big personal challenge for them and remembering my mum who died at the end of last year, and inspired them in ways I never will be able to. If they do it I will be enormously proud of course, but it's down to them, and I have a feeling that the experiences they choose now will stand them in good stead for the future.
As the father of a kid who romped up Buttertubs in the TDF a few years ago aged 8 and this year nipped up the TDY at Lofthouse a handful of times for fun with a friend for fun understand it.
It's a real shame British Cycling don't control / limit the number of races these youngsters are allowed to enter in a season, as that's where the real pressure is being applied by parents living a dream.
Steve, you can safely ignore any comments from people so boldly showing their ignorance for all to see.
As long as the kids are happy then I think it's fantastic.
Yet again my kids end up rolling their eyes looking at comments from people who jump to conclusions. They like cycling, they're proud to achieve things. We support them, we don't push them. Thankfully your negative, pessimistic, nay-sayer asides only motivate them more. Don't be snide, go ride.
'Islington' Cyclists make better People - as the saying goes.
Wayne from #IslingtonCC
Good Luck to you and your siblings and i'm jealous all at the same time.
Less worried about this kid than his porky pre-diabetic mates who'll be clogging up hospitals for years to come.
Joan's brother?
Not a fan of this at all, dont believe its good for kids, all for them being active, but this is too much, too young.
Really don't like this story. Sorry but shouldn't be encouraged.
Kids that age shouldn't be put under that sort to of ride load when they are growing so much.
Those are some seriously determined kids, good on them
Fixed that for you