Some charity rides circle a park. This one crosses a continent. For Sander van der Fluit, the epic scale of 2Wheels4Purpose reflects the enormity of the fight against cancer, a battle that has touched his life and the lives of his teammates in profound ways.
Speaking to Sam Steen on RTL Today Radio, Sander described how the idea was born: “We came up with the idea to cycle from Tallinn to Gibraltar. We’re aiming to hit about 22 countries, 7,000 kilometres, a bit over 70,000m of elevation in the meantime”, he said, the excitement clear in his voice. “The idea really was to combine what we have, which is, a passion for cycling, adventure, epic adventures, but also to have a meaningful impact.”
The mission is as ambitious as the route: raise €1 million for cancer research for the charity Fondation St Luc. “We have set ourselves the objective to complete the ride and to raise about a million for cancer research”, Sander explained. “When we were setting the ride, we wanted to combine something epic in terms of resilience and endurance that matches a hard effort to raise money, but it also matches the fight against cancer. Cancer is hard. You need resilience. Even the research that we’re trying to fund, that is also something that requires resilience. It’s a lot of hard work to actually go to a new or an improved remedy.”
A journey fuelled by loss – and hope
For Sander and his fellow riders, Mark and René, this is no abstract challenge. The pain and hope behind every kilometre are deeply personal. “Mark lost his wife, I think about eight years ago, after eight years of fighting breast cancer, and René lost his wife as well to breast cancer”, Sander said, “So, yeah, we have set ourselves the objective to complete the ride and to raise about a million for cancer research.”
Sander’s own story mirrors that of so many. “It’s a shadow that has touched so many people I love. I’ve lost my grandmother, an uncle, and an aunt. I’ve watched my own father fight it. I stood by as one of my closest friends lost his wife, and his children lost their mother”, he writes in a heartfelt note on the group’s website. “Cancer is relentless, and sadly, I know this story isn’t unique to me.”
That universal experience, Sander said, is what gives the ride its urgency: “This universal fight... compels us to act.”
Epic ambition, epic endurance
The ride itself is a monumental test of body and mind. “We’ll be starting the 28th, so, very soon, and arriving 8 July, if everything goes well. So it’s 67 stages. 120km per day”, Sander detailed. “For me, it’s the most I’ve ever cycled in a row by a long shot.”
The route was chosen to symbolise the breadth of the challenge. “We basically wanted to go, so top North Europe to the top South of Europe, and I guess the top of Norway also with weather, maybe even route, don’t want to offend anybody... that seemed a bit out of the way”, he joked, highlighting the mix of logistical and climatic considerations that shaped the journey.
Before the trio tackles the main event, they are starting with a prologue closer to home. “We start in Luxembourg, in Cloche d’Or, and we’ll cycle over two days to Brussels. That will be 260km and about 3,000 elevation for two days”, Sander explained. “We have a nice start tomorrow morning, where we’ll have the Dutch ambassador there, the CEO of Alter Domus, and then from there, yeah, we’ll just, you know, take off, and the journey and the adventure starts.”
Riders will be collecting shirts and fueling up from 7.45am, with the official send-off at 8.30am sharp. Around 90 people are expected to join the first leg, turning the prologue into a true community affair.
Capturing the grit - and the glory
As for what lies ahead, Sander is realistic about the hardships to come and determined to share them honestly. “This was one of the pieces of advice I got, which was kind of mean, but it’s that you’re going to go through hard things, make sure there’s a camera around, capture it,” he laughed. “The crying, the misery, the mechanicals, yeah, that’s what draws people. That’s what people want to see, right? Drama.”
The team will have support vehicles and will document their journey on social media, sharing every high and low: “Support vehicles, diary cams, the journey will be documented in all its grit and glory.” As Sander puts it, “Every kilometre travelled, every meter climbed, every day completed, is one step closer to better treatment for cancer patients and improved wellbeing for them and their loved ones.”
How to join, support, or follow
The fundraising effort is already gaining momentum, with over €300,000 raised before the official start. Yet the finish line, and the million-euro goal, remains ahead.
To follow Sander, Mark and René’s progress, or to make a donation, visit 2wheels4purpose.com. All the details, team stories, and sponsor information are there, alongside social media links for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes moments.
The ride begins with the Luxembourg–Brussels prologue on Saturday, 29 June 2024, departing Cloche d’Or at 8.30am. Everyone is welcome to come down, cheer the riders on, and be part of a movement turning passion into purpose.
As Sander says, “I can’t wait to have the adventure, to build the experience.” And neither can we.
Practical information
Prologue: Luxembourg (Cloche d’Or) to Brussels, Saturday 29 June–Sunday 30 June 2024
Start time: 8.30am Saturday, riders arrive from 7.45am
Website & donations: www.2wheels4purpose.com
Route: Estonia to Gibraltar, 67 stages, over 7,000km
Fundraising target: €1 million for cancer research
Follow on social media for live updates.
