6:04pm Wednesday 11th July 2007
When Truro soldier and keen cyclist Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Dash heard the Tour De France would be staring in London he had an idea. Always looking for a challenge he thought it would be good for a team of Royal Engineers to lead the race, by starting fives days early.
Although not qualified to be a competitor in the official race Rupert, 44, cycled the whole 2,218 miles starting out from London to cover the UK section through Kent to Canterbury before taking the train to France, where most of the distance is covered, hoping to Paris after 21 days of peddling.
There are a total of 20 stages the soldiers aim to complete, 11 on the flat, six high mountain and one that is considered medium mountain plus two individual time trials.
The Tour de France started in 1903 the same year the Wright Brothers made their first successful airplane flight. Both bikes and aircraft have progressed since then, as has the race going from six stages over 1500 miles to the present total.
Serving as Commanding Officer of 42 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, Rupert set about putting his idea into action. "I heard Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London on the radio talking about starting the race in London to promote cycling in the capital." He said. "I thought this is an opportunity to take on a real challenge and peddle the route.
"It has taken a bit of organising but we have a lot of keen and fit cyclists in the Corps so it became a feasible plan and we have an excellent support team as well.
"The concept is to run five days ahead of the actual Tour De France itself covering the same route including the mountains!"
Rupert attended the Richard Lander School, Truro, and joined the army in 1984. He is married to Pat and two children Freddie, 15, and Frances, 12.
In common with all military activities the event has a code name, Exercise Fougasse Extend and is certain to stretch the soldiers to the limit both physically and mentally. The army always encourages and supports soldiers who are taking part in sport and adventure as it helps with overall fitness. Many servicemen and women go on to compete at national, international and Olympic levels.
Among the charities that will benefit from the soldiers ride is the Army Benevolent Fund.
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