Mel Erwin is realistic about what motivated her to get on a bike. “I have one and a half lungs. I’m on medication. I don’t see myself as athletic. I wouldn’t have done it without a clear goal.”
This Sunday, the 57-year-old will power up the Campsie Hills north of Glasgow in a “camp as Christmas” sparkly cape, riding alongside her partner, Sarah, and 3,000 other participants.
It’s part of the first-ever Tour de 4, a charity ride created by Sir Chris Hoy to challenge assumptions about living with stage 4 cancer.
The “roaring” is literal: during months of training, Erwin discovered that making noise “really helps” on steep climbs. The pink and gold sequins reflect the event’s spirit of celebrating each day—a hallmark of Hoy’s own approach to living with stage 4 prostate cancer.
The six-time Olympic gold medalist shocked the UK late last year when he shared that his cancer is incurable, with a prognosis of two to four years to live.
Hoy’s honesty and grace in sharing his situation moved Erwin, who has lived with stage 4 lung cancer for five years. “It’s rare for people to speak openly about stage 4 cancer. The shame, the confusion—it’s not something we usually talk about,” she said.
Hoy describes this unique event, where people with stage 4 cancer cycle alongside loved ones to raise funds for cancer charities across the UK, as “an opportunity to push limits.”
Routes and levels of participation are tailored to each person’s ability—from riding a stationary bike for as little as one minute at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, to three outdoor routes of increasing length and difficulty.
“This isn’t about being the fastest,” Hoy reassured participants. “It’s about preparation, showing up, riding your own way, and being part of something bigger than all of us.”
That idea of a collective movement inspired Erwin, who lives in east London, to take part. “It’s about being part of a community. Cancer—especially stage 4—can be really isolating,” she said.
Hoy’s motivation is “to shine a light on what a stage 4 cancer diagnosis can look like and show that it’s possible to live well and happily despite this devastating news.”
This attitude strongly resonated with Christine Lote from Bristol, who was diagnosed with stage 4 bone cancer on her eldest daughter’s third birthday last June. In the “whirlwind of overwhelm and heartbreak” that followed, Hoy announced his diagnosis and released his memoir, All That Matters. Lote, whose daughters Sophie and Chloe are now two and four, appreciated how Hoy wrote about “navigating your diagnosis as a family.”
“Looking back, I’d like my girls to see I was part of something that challenged me at a time when I could have easily given up,” she said. “I want to show them…”I want to be a role model for them—to show that you can stay positive and still achieve great things.
A significant personal milestone for Lote, who trained on the Bristol and Bath railway path, has been learning to pedal again using a prosthetic after her right leg was amputated below the knee.
“It’s been a major focus for me this year,” she said. “Of course, I can’t completely forget about the cancer when I’m out cycling, but I’m not dwelling on the anxiety around scans or other worries. Instead, I’m focused on the ride.”
Many people with cancer describe a profound loss of trust in their own bodies, since the disease can often go undetected. For Erwin, training has helped ease that feeling. “There’s something powerful about keeping the wheels turning—feeling my muscles, thighs, heart, and lungs all working together in sync.”
Hoy, Lote, and Erwin recognize that not everyone with stage 4 cancer can take on a physical challenge like this, so the event is designed to be inclusive. Lote has collected a list of names from her Instagram page of people who wanted to participate but are now too ill, and she will carry it in her cycling jersey.
“Sadly, many people I know and care about aren’t well enough to do this,” Erwin said. “Christine and I both know that one day that will be us. We’re doing what we can now to raise awareness and celebrate life. But it’s painful too—that’s the reality. On the day, there will be tears because we’ve lost people along the way, and one day others will lose us.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the I still want to achieve initiative featuring people with stage 4 cancer joining Chris Hoys charity ride written in a clear and natural tone
General Beginner Questions
1 What is I still want to achieve
Its an inspiring initiative often led by charities like the Chris Hoy Foundation that helps people living with incurable cancer set and achieve ambitious personal goals like participating in a charity bike ride
2 Who is Chris Hoy and why is he involved
Sir Chris Hoy is a legendary British Olympic cyclist who won six gold medals He is deeply involved in charity work using his platform and love for cycling to raise funds and awareness for important causes including cancer support
3 What is the goal of these charity rides
The primary goal is twofold to raise significant funds for cancer research and support services and to empower participants by showing that a cancer diagnosis doesnt have to define their lives or limit their ambitions
4 Can anyone with stage 4 cancer join the ride
Not automatically Participants are usually selected through an application process with the organizing charity Medical fitness and doctors clearance are essential requirements to ensure safety
5 How do you train for something like this while undergoing treatment
Training is highly personalized and closely supervised It involves working with coaches and medical professionals to create a tailored plan that adapts to the individuals energy levels treatment schedule and overall health
Benefits Deeper Questions
6 What are the benefits for participants beyond fundraising
The benefits are huge It provides a powerful positive focus during treatment a tremendous sense of accomplishment a supportive community and can significantly improve mental wellbeing and physical strength
7 How does this challenge the perception of stage 4 cancer
It powerfully shows that a stage 4 diagnosis is about living with cancer not just dying from it It highlights resilience hope and the ability to achieve extraordinary things despite a terminal illness
8 Isnt it dangerous for someone that sick to exert themselves
Safety is the absolute top priority The challenge is designed to be ambitious but achievable with professional guidance Participants are closely monitored and the event is not about competition but personal triumph
9 Where does the money raised actually go
Funds typically support vital areas like groundbreaking cancer research clinical trials
