Live tracking set to bring this weekend’s 220-mile Welsh Biking Challenge to every PC

Sponsors and supporters of two amateur cyclists entered for this weekend’s (June11-12) 220-mile Welsh Biking Challenge will be able to follow their progress live online – thanks to real-time tracking.

Mark Benbow, 33, from Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire and Chris Aspey, 34, of Chester, aim to complete the gruelling Holyhead-Barry ride over the two days, raising more than £2,000 for the Adam Millichip Foundation – a charity dedicated to providing financial support to disabled people who wish to take part in sport.

Newtown telematics company Quartix is equipping the riders’ support car with online tracking, making it possible for followers to see their progress on a live Google map.

The website is accessible from any PC – with the map available on Friday and throughout the challenge.

Mark, a sales manager for Advantage Business Supplies, Hereford, and Chris, a financial adviser with HSBC, have been training hard for the event, which will see them tackling the mountains of Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons, the Elan Valley and the Heads of the Valleys.

Mark said: “We’ve not done anything like this before. So we’ve done lots of biking up steep hills twice a week, and also running.

“We plan to do the 220 miles in two days, and are looking to do 15 miles an hour.”

The pair will stop only to sleep and tend to the calls of nature.

However, they won’t be alone. Planning to travel in the support car, offering encouragement, are Mark’s wife, Debbie, and Chris’s wife, Helen.

Mark, a trustee of the foundation, added: “It is very satisfying seeing our money helping mentally and physically disabled people getting into sport. It is a pleasure to help by being part of a tough challenge.”

Andy Kirk, Quartix director, said: “This is an extremely worthwhile event and we are delighted to help bring it live to people’s computers.”

More about the Adam Millichip Foundation

The Adam Millichip Foundation, founded in November 2010, has one goal: to provide financial support and assistance to disabled people who wish to participate in sport, with the aim of improving the quality of their lives.

With the tragic death of his brother, Adam, in 2007, Stuart Millichip wanted to do something to honour his memory. In May 2010, he and three others formed a committee to found the Adam Millichip Memorial Golf Challenge – which in its first year raised more than £7000. This sum was donated to two local charities.

Following the first golf day, Stuart approached his fellow committee members with the idea of forming a fully registered charity in memory of his brother – and The Adam Millichip Foundation was born.

This year, the foundation has organised a seven-person skydive and staged the second Annual Adam Millichip Memorial Golf Challenge. In July, following the bike challenge, a guest-speaker night will be held, with more events planned for the autumn.

A registered charity, the Adam Millichip Foundation is based at Burford, Worcestershire.

For more information go to http://www.adammillichipfoundation.org and http://www.adammillichipgolf.co.uk.