May 2, Nick Evans, founder and owner of the Mortlake-based Evolution Fitness Studio, will lead 12 consecutive cycling classes in 12 hours on 16 May, to raise funds in aid of NHS Charities Together.
Although currently closed to the public in compliance with current government guidelines, the member-funded fitness studio has shifted to operate online, serving as a community fitness hub for residents of Mortlake, Sheen, Barnes and Richmond, as well as Chiswick, Putney and further afield. Nick and his team are currently delivering more than 20 classes per week via the online teleconferencing platform, Zoom.
A former IronMan, Nick chose the 12-hour duration of the Ride4NHS to reflect the length of a typical NHS worker shift. The ride aims to both honour the tireless efforts of these healthcare professionals whilst also raising money to support NHS Charities Together’s COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. Nick and his team at Evolution are currently raising funds via Crowdfunder (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/tne-ride4nhs). They have set a £6,000 goal having exceeded their initial goal of £1,200. The sky’s the limit, but requires support from the public as well as Evolution members. In addition to the online fundraiser, Evolution will donate 50 percent of all class revenue resulting from the Ride4NHS.
Starting from 9am on Saturday, 16 May,, the Ride4NHS will welcome Evolution members as well as the general public to participate in one, two, or up to 12 live-streamed cycling classes. Anyone interested in participating can sign up to participate online at www.evolutionldn.com. All abilities are welcomed as well as all types of stationary bikes, including Keiser, Peloton, turbo trainers, road bikes with rollers, as well as those who use the online cycling program, Zwift.
Nick, who will be leading all the classes, was inspired by a similar challenge headed up by Welsh cyclist and 2018 Tour de France champion, Geraint Thomas. Like Geraint, Nick invites cyclists from all over London and the U.K. to participate in Saturday’s Ride4NHS.