The Last Ever Cycle Slam: A Farewell to an Epic Journey
As the sun sets on this special chapter, we bid a warm farewell to the Dallaglio Cycle Slam. Launched in 2010, this iconic event has grown to become a flagship fundraising event, driving change and raising over £8 million for young people over its lifetime. From its inception, where Lawrence Dallaglio and 200 riders journeyed between the Six Nations stadiums to its culmination in 2024, the Cycle Slam has been a big testament to determination, camaraderie, and the power of sport.
The Journey of a Lifetime
Cycle Slam 2024 has taken our riders through the scenic and diverse landscapes of Italy and the French Riviera. The meticulously planned route offered both challenge and beauty, beginning in Fiumicino, Roma, and winding through historic towns, rolling hills, and breathtaking coastal roads.
Day 1: Fiumicino, Roma to San Martino al Cimino - 98 km
Day 2: San Martino al Cimino to Marina di Grosetto - 148 km
Day 3: Marina di Grosetto to Siena - 113 km
Day 4: Siena to Lucca - 131 km or 119 km
Day 5: Lucca to Santa Margherita Liguria - 155 km
In the second stage on week 2, the adventure continued, pushing riders through equally captivating and demanding terrains.
Day 1 (Stage 2): Santa Margherita Liguria to Alessandria Spinetta - 119 km
Day 2: Alessandria Spinetta to Cuneo - 140 km
Day 3: Cuneo to Spotorno - 114 km
Day 4: Spotorno to San Remo - 98 km
Day 5: San Remo to Nice - 62 km
Fuelling the journey
The event would not have been possible without the dedication and support of so many people. Bidfood are the longest standing supporters of Cycle Slam, sponsoring the event every year from its inception. Their crucial trucks take all our essentials out to the event with us and the drivers go above and beyond ensuring all our riders have to do is pedal. We must thanks Andrew Selley for his unwavering support and Ryan Neale for supporting us with all the logistics.
Our riders looked sleek in their pelotons, which is all thanks to our amazing kit sponsor, CIOVITA. CIOVITA are a high quality cycling brand based in South Africa, bringing the classic European cycle kit designs to the southern hemisphere. Their kit is fit for purpose, stylish, and comfortable and we had nothing but positive feedback from the riders and passers-by. We cannot thank Dean Norman and the CIOVITA team enough for working collaboratively with us to provide the best kit for our riders. It was also fantastic to have Andrew Gold from CIOVITA join us on Stage 1 of the ride. Our Core riders even got a stylish cycling jacket, which came in handy on those cold mountain climbs!
James Hey, The Cycle Coach, also went above and beyond to support the event. From providing group training rides and individual personal training sessions for our cyclists who wanted it, to providing education on fuelling and providing all mechanical support on the event, he always put the needs of the charity first. He brought on the fantastic Precision Fuel and Hydration, who provided everything our riders needed to get through each day. As well as fuelling our riders, he also ensured their bikes were able to get through each day. Paired with Robin Foad from Trek, the mechanical support was crucial to the success of the event and we must thank Trek for their generous donation of a brand new bike for Lawrence.
We were also lucky enough to partner with the XO Bikes team, who provided two fantastic mechanics, Tray and Fred, for the trip. XO Bikes train ex-offenders in bike maintenance, so they have key skills they need to get a job when released. The synergy with Dallaglio RugbyWorks was clear, so we were delighted to have Tray and Fred on the event supporting James and Robin.
Finally, Big Yellow Self-Storage year on year provide us with a safe space to store all our bikes and essential equipment for the event. This crucial sponsorship means the funds raised are able to go directly to the young people we support, so we cannot thank the team enough for their support.
A Celebration of Effort and Dedication
Over two intense weeks, our riders conquered 1172 km and over 14,000 meters of climbing. Their journey was marked by varied weather conditions—sunshine, wind, rain, and even snow—yet their spirits remained unyielded. Each pedal stroke was fueled by a common purpose: to support and uplift the young people who rely on Dallaglio RugbyWorks.
To our riders, the grit and determination have not gone unnoticed. They have embarked on a journey that goes beyond the physical miles; they have made an impactful contribution to the future of many young lives. We are incredibly proud and immensely grateful for all your unwavering support
Words from Our Founder
“Our mission is to ensure that those young people are not excluded from society and therefore have an equal chance to be in Education, Employment, or Training.”
Reflecting on the journey, Lawrence Dallaglio shared, “At well over 6 foot tall, you can’t say either me or Martin [Johnson] have the natural physique for a cyclist. However, when we retired, we both discovered cycling was a good fit for us; a low impact sport with challenging training that’s a great way to keep fit.”
Dallaglio also drew parallels between rugby and cycling, emphasising the camaraderie and sense of achievement both sports foster. “We also discovered that like rugby, there’s a great camaraderie amongst cyclists, especially when faced with a common challenge like the Slam. When you’ve been on a bike for seven or eight hours, you also get that euphoric feeling of achieving something. Believe me, this feeling is heightened when you’ve been on a bike for almost a month!”
An Insider’s Perspective
Graham Dodridge, a veteran of the Cycle Slam, shared his thoughts on this year's event: "This was my sixth Cycle Slam, and it was the most rewarding yet. Lawrence's outstanding leadership and camaraderie shone through every moment, whether it was raining or shining. It was inspiring to meet individuals who have benefited from RugbyWorks."
Organising the Final Slam
Taylor Mullaney-Downer, who orchestrated the 2024 Cycle Slam, reflected on the event's significance, “It’s been a pleasure working on the 2024 Cycle Slam and being a small part of this huge legacy Lawrence has created. I’m overwhelmed by the hard work of our cyclists and the support they have given us not just this year, but every year prior. Bringing together faces old and new for one final challenge has been spectacular, and most importantly, they have all played a huge part in raising an amazing amount of money for an even more amazing charity.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
This monumental event was a collective effort, and it would not have been possible without the support and dedication of many:
Our Riders: Both Core and Stage riders, your commitment has been inspiring. You have truly gone above and beyond for our cause.
Support Staff and Crew: Your seamless coordination ensured that our riders could focus solely on their journey. Your hard work behind the scenes made all the difference.
Our Sponsors:
Bidfood UK: The sponsorship every years means the world to us. Your drivers attitudes were impeccable and we genuinely could not do this event without you.
CIOVITA: A special thanks to CIOVITA for providing the jerseys for our riders at no cost. Your support ensured our cyclists were equipped with high-quality gear, proudly showcasing your brand.
Trek Bikes: Your top-notch bicycles and technical expertise kept our riders on the move.
James Hey, The Cycle Coach: Your training programs and coaching were instrumental in preparing our riders for the gruelling journey.
Precision Fuel and Hydration: You kept our riders fuelled for the ride, which is crucial to getting them over the finish line!
Justin Clarke and LeBlanq: It was fantastic to have Justin on Cycle Slam for the first time. LeBlanq provided stylish water bottles for our riders, which was a lovely touch, and something they were able to use each day and keep from the event.
Big Yellow Self Storage: Your generosity and logistical support have been pivotal in making this event possible.
Bio-synergy: You provided tasty powders and water bottles allowing our riders to recover at the end of each day to prepare for another days cycle. The free gift was extremely appreciated by the riders, so thank you to Daniel Herman and the team.
Luke Wiggs: For taking all the fantastic photos you see in this article - what fantastic memories you captured!
A Legacy That Lives On
While this may be the final Dallaglio Cycle Slam, the legacy it leaves behind will continue to inspire. Over the years, our supporters have cycled over 540,000 km across Europe, raising millions for Dallaglio RugbyWorks. The funds raised have empowered countless young people, providing them with opportunities and support to navigate their futures.
As we close this chapter, we look forward to continuing our mission, driven by the same spirit of resilience and community that defined the Cycle Slam. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. Your support has made a profound difference.
