From Genf, across the Alps, to Cannes - the Fireflies Ride 09

One is bound to meet all sorts of people at Cannes. Even during Lions-week, not everyone spins in circles for advertising. For example Virgin Rider Rachel Ewer, British landscape gardener by trade and courageous survivor of the Fireflies Ride 09.

The Firefly Ride is a rather strenuous bicycle tour – The goal: pump those pedals and bravely tackle about 1000 kilometres from Geneva to Cannes, crossing the French Alps in between. The lean riders’ shirts spell out the fight against leukaemia.

The tour has been going strong for nine years, and has been supporting the fight against leukaemia and the respective research by Professor Goldmann of Hammersmith Hospital ever since. Today over £700,000 GBP has been collected for charity.

Firefly Ride takes its name from a peculiar incident in the first year of the event. During a nocturnal excursion, fireflies illuminated the driver's descent of a mountain. The trip has been amply supported by RSA Films from the very beginning. Visit the website to find out more and how to join in. From sponsoring to cyclic deflowering, the fireflies are up to every trick.

Those that wish to find out secretive Rachel’s true identity should take a look at her website: www.ewerdesign.com. And just in case Rachel should be reading this: The story featuring the Victorian brain-dish was really fascinating ! Her book recommendation, an answer to my creepy reading “The most appalling countries in the world” by a most bizarre Favell Lee Mortimer was “The Book of Household Management” by a just as legendary Victorian, Mrs. Beeton. Those British, eh? . . .