Lewis Moody begins 500-mile ride from Newcastle to London

The former England captain, who revealed his own MND diagnosis last year, is riding from Newcastle to Twickenham over seven days as part of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge.

He is being joined by family, friends and a group of high‑profile rugby names as the team makes its way south.

Lewis Moody at the start at Kingston Park on day one of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge (Image: Owen Humphreys)

Riders gathered early this morning in Newcastle before beginning the day’s stage to Ripon, North Yorkshire, where they will start on their way to Worksop tomorrow.

The challenge will finish at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, June 20, where the group will deliver the match ball ahead of the Gallagher PREM Rugby Final.

The 500‑mile ride is raising money for vital MND research and forms part of Moody’s support for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, established by the late Scotland international Doddie Weir. Weir’s wife Kathy and son Hamish are joining the challenge, riding alongside Moody’s own family.

Lewis Moody, second right, with wife Annie Moody, right, Kathy Weir, left, and Hamish Weir at the start at Kingston Park on day one of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge (Image: Owen Humphreys)

The wider line‑up includes a number of rugby greats who will join different stages of the route, including Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson, Jason Robinson, Phil Vickery, Martin Corry and Tom Croft.

Several former teammates and friends of Moody are completing the full route, among them fellow MND campaigner Kenny Logan, former Ireland international Geordan Murphy and adventurer Alan Chambers.

The ride will pass through clubs and communities connected to Moody’s rugby career, including Leicester Tigers, Bath Rugby and Bracknell RFC.

Lewis Moody, centre, with participants at the start at Kingston Park on day one of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge (Image: Owen Humphreys)

One of the most significant moments will come on Tuesday when Moody returns to Oakham School, where he boarded as a teenager before going on to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

Moody has described the challenge as a show of unity within the rugby community and a way of continuing the work started by Weir.

He said the involvement of the Weir family was “incredibly powerful” and that the ride aimed to demonstrate continued determination to push forward research into MND.

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has committed more than £23.5m to MND research since its creation in 2017.