From 27 July 2025 to 1 August 2025, 22 cyclists from across the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors came together for the inaugural ADS Charity Cycle. Across six-days, the group cycled 478 miles from Rosyth in Scotland to Farnborough. The event raised more than £13,000 for five UK charities…
- Furness Education and Skills Partnership – supporting skills development for young people.
- Forces Wives Challenge – empowering women in the Armed Forces community through adventure.
- Motivez – inspiring and equipping young people for future careers.
- SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity providing lifelong support for service personnel and their families.
- The National Museum of the Royal Navy – preserving and sharing naval heritage.
The route featured visits to ADS member sites including Babcock, Oxley Group, and Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS), where riders learned about the impressive social value initiatives our industries are delivering to local communities across the UK.
Day One: Rosyth to Moffatt
The first day cycling took the riders from the Babcock shipyard in Rosyth to Moffatt, a distance of 117km. Rosyth set the tone for what the cycle had been all about: supporting the UK’s past, present and future workforce. Babcock’s Rosyth facility represents both the heritage and future of UK manufacturing, symbolising industrial legacy, innovation and commitment to social value.
Despite adverse weather conditions, the cyclists were welcomed warmly by the stage sponsor Martin Precision and site hosts Babcock. Shortly after the send-off, the team crossed the Forth Road bridge enjoying the view.
John Copley, ADS Chief Operating Officer said:
“There was the naval base behind you, the Firth of Forth below, the old red railway bridge and an aircraft carrier on the Firth – emblematic of the industries we were supporting. We were definitely off.”
Day Two: Moffatt to Kendal
Keith Denison, Chief Operating Officer at Oxley Group, was on home ground on the second stage, which led 154km from Moffatt to Kendal. He was “very familiar with some of the roads”, especially the week’s toughest climb, up Kirkstone pass. At 59 the group’s oldest and strongest cyclist, he was first to crest and turned to encourage other less experienced riders.
The climb was memorable, but for Keith, the day’s standout moment had been what seemed like a Royal Air Force flypast just for them at Ullswater.
Keith said:
“Two Typhoons came screaming very low up the lake. One pulled a 90-degree bank in front of us. It was absolutely stunning.”
Day Three: Kendal to Knutsford
Day three started with a regional showcase in Ulverston, followed by 158km on the road to Knutsford. The regional showcase, hosted by the Oxley Group, highlighted social value, ESG achievements and skills development. Our beneficiary, Furness Education and Skills Partnership (FESP), took centre stage, demonstrating its impact on the local community. The event featured representatives from Central Barrow Schools, Furness College, BAE Systems, the University of Cumbria and Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness.
Cumbria is a hub for advanced manufacturing and home to many companies across ADS sectors. The day gave us a powerful reminder of the communities we were cycling for and the impact our beneficiaries have across the UK.
For Jim Convery, Chief Executive at Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS), the day was also a celebration of his 58th birthday that included some “cheeky speeds” of 23-24mph on the open road and “a sense of pride” in keeping up with Keith.
Jim said:
“I’m sure the countryside was lovely, but when you’re cycling fast, you’re more interested in the tyre in front of you. The only thing that slowed us down was going through Preston in rush hour.”
He praised Maximum Adventure, the assigned support team, “for looking after us, shepherding us through traffic and dozens of traffic lights – they were outstanding.”
Day Four: Knutsford to Royal Leamington Spa
The day’s route, 146km from Knutsford to Royal Leamington Spa, suited Rob Shepherd, Financial Director at RC Fornax. A complete novice to long distance cycling, or cycling in a group, Rob discovered that cycling was “not going to be his thing.”
Rob said:
“Pedalling 100km was one thing, but getting up the next day, and the next, to do it again was pushing it. My kind of cycling is sunny day, tarmac road, country lane kind of thing where you can enjoy the scenery. Still, it was a good way as a new ADS member to become more involved both as an individual and company.”
Day Five: Royal Leamington Spa to Didcot
On day five, the penultimate day, the cyclists rode from Leamington Spa to Didcot, a distance of only 103km which seemed “much shorter” than the previous stages to seasoned endurance cyclist Dom Barraclough, Managing Director at Finch Consulting.
Dom said:
“For the first ADS charity cycle, whether by design or accident, it has worked out quite well. The most memorable thing for me is all the individual stories I’ve heard from the others. Tomorrow the bubble will burst, but those stories will live on.”
Day Six: Didcot to Farnborough
On day six, the final day of the tour, the core team was joined by 11 additional riders for the 71km ‘procession’ from Harwell Science and Innovation Campus to Farnborough where an end-of-the-road celebration at Hall 1 of Farnborough International Conference and Exhibition Centre awaited the cyclists.
Ahead of setting off the team was hosted at Harwell by ELS. Cyclists were welcomed with refreshments and breakfast which gave them that extra fuel to reach the finish line. The Harwell Campus is a major UK hub for cutting-edge research and development, fostering innovation and inclusivity in science and technology. Its role perfectly aligned with the Charity Cycle’s core mission of supporting STEM outreach and underrepresented groups.
Tom Murrells, BAE Systems, who joined for the last stage said:
“You meet some great people, and everyone has a story. It was quite moving to have a crowd cheering you in at the finish line. That for me made the day memorable.”
At the finish line in Farnborough, sponsors, beneficiaries, colleagues, families and friends all joined us to celebrate this massive achievement. Despite a few wind battles, the team rolled in with high spirits and huge smiles! The big finish was followed by a certificate ceremony where we heard from Eric Lakin, Chief Executive Officer at TT Electronics, Gareth Rogers, Chief Executive Officer at Farnborough International and our site MP, Alex Baker MP.
Ash Gasson, ADS Director of Membership and Communications said:
“The ride was nothing short of extraordinary – tough, emotional and incredibly rewarding. For me, it was about breaking routine, reigniting purpose and proving what’s possible with determination. Supporting five incredible charities, engaging with members, bonding with colleagues and overcoming one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever faced made this an unforgettable experience, as I’m sure it was for all who took part.”
Beyond the miles and muscle, the ADS Charity Cycle was a testament to what happens when industry unites for a cause. It showcased the power of teamwork, the grit of individuals pushing past personal limits and the shared commitment to uplifting communities. From STEM outreach to veteran support, every pedal carried purpose.
A massive well done to everyone who participated in the cycle – whether you rode 478 miles or 44, you’ve made a real impact. Our beneficiaries have been at the core of our cycle, and it was a pleasure working with them all to understand their mission and purpose.
Thank you to our sponsors: DHL, Explosive Learning Solutions, Martin Precision, Oxley Group, Seko Logistics and TT Electronics.
Thank you to our hosts: Babcock, Explosive Learning Solutions, Farnborough International and Oxley Group.
