Grahame's Route 66 charity bike ride: a journey for a worthy cause
As retirement looms, most people might dream of sun soaked holidays and lazy afternoons. Not Grahame Russell, though. This local businessman and Chair of the East Grinstead Business Association has decided to swap relaxation for adventure: a Route 66 charity bike ride across the United States.
Together with his long time friend Tim Howse, Grahame is set to embark on a remarkable journey, cycling 3,800 miles across America in just nine weeks. The aim of this Route 66 charity bike ride? To raise £10,000 for The Greenaway Foundation.
Update: how the Route 66 charity bike ride went
This post was first written before Grahame and Tim set off. Here is how the ride actually unfolded.
On 28 April 2025, Mish and Robert at On Your Bike in East Grinstead hosted a send off for the pair. A week later, on Monday 5 May, they dipped their wheels in the Pacific at Santa Monica beach and started pedalling east on their Route 66 charity bike ride, each bike carrying around 45kg of luggage.
Crosswinds, Seligman and the halfway point
The second week of the Route 66 charity bike ride got off to a tough start. Strong crosswinds and a warning not to travel left them stuck in Seligman, Arizona for two nights, a town best known as the inspiration for Disney’s Cars. They turned it into a rest day and were soon back on track.
By the end of week three the Route 66 charity bike ride had reached its halfway point, with 1,233 miles in their legs. They rode through New Mexico, stopping in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, on their way to Amarillo in Texas. Along the way they met Clive from Chichester, who was driving Route 66 in the opposite direction, and Max and Jules from New Zealand (originally from Yorkshire), who were cycling west to east just like them. They were also chased by three dogs, stayed in a couple of doubtful motels and, rather more comfortably, two casinos.
Beyond Route 66 and on to Boston
After following Bicycle Route 66 to just south of Chicago, Grahame and Tim headed for the Great Lakes, riding 260 miles along Lake Erie to Buffalo. From there they took the Erie Canalway Trail for 360 miles to Albany, then the Empire State Trail towards their finish in Boston.
By early July 2025 the Route 66 charity bike ride had covered 3,520 miles across 12 US states, with just 390 miles left to go. Their wives, Julia and Mhairi, and around ten supporters were waiting to welcome them in Boston on Thursday 10 July 2025.
Ride completed and over £10,000 raised
Grahame and Tim completed the Route 66 charity bike ride, riding all the way from the Pacific at Santa Monica to Boston on the Atlantic coast. Along the way Grahame raised over £10,000 for The Greenaway Foundation, beating the £10,000 target he set before setting off.
A huge thank you to everyone who followed the journey on Polarsteps, sent messages of support and donated. Every pound goes to The Greenaway Foundation, helping local children from financially challenged families across much of Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
The heart of the mission
For Grahame, this challenge is not merely about endurance; it’s about making a difference and helping The Greenaway Foundation to do more in the local community.
Every mile of this Route 66 charity bike ride is a mile for local children and families across much of Surrey, Sussex and Kent who need a little extra help.
A pint of inspiration
So, how did two self proclaimed “not mad cyclists” find themselves planning such a monumental journey? The idea for a Route 66 charity bike ride was born in the most British of settings, a pub. Over a few pints ten years ago, Grahame and Tim joked about cycling across America, assuming it was just a fanciful notion. Fast forward to today, and they’re on the brink of making that dream a reality.
On May 5th, they will set off from Santa Monica Beach, California, heading towards Boston, Massachusetts. Instead of opting for the shortest route, they’ve chosen to add an extra 600 miles by following scenic roads, including parts of the legendary Route 66.
Grahame quips, “Because it just sounds cooler—plus, avoiding gun-happy Southerners seemed like a sensible plan!”
The route at a glance
The Route 66 charity bike ride starts where the famous highway ends, at the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. From there, Grahame and Tim will head inland through California, with the long, hot stretches of the Mojave Desert among the first big tests of their legs and their water supplies.
Following parts of the old Mother Road, the ride takes in the wide open landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico before crossing into Texas, where Amarillo has already earned its own place on the playlist. From the southern plains, the pair will turn north east and leave Route 66 behind, cycling on towards the Atlantic coast and the finish line in Boston.
That is 3,800 miles, nine weeks and coast to coast, all on two wheels and all for local children.
The road ahead
Their nine week Route 66 charity bike ride promises to be filled with breathtaking landscapes, from arid deserts to rolling hills and endless highways. However, it also presents its fair share of challenges. Grahame acknowledges that this will be the longest time he’s ever spent away from his wife, which he admits might be the biggest challenge of all.
Staying safe on a Route 66 charity bike ride is no small feat. From careless drivers glued to their phones to wild dogs that seem to take a particular interest in cyclists, the hazards are many.
“We’ve read up on this,” Grahame explains. “Apparently, cyclists get chased a lot. Tim’s had his rabies jab; I still need to sort mine out. We’ve even been told to carry bones to throw if needed to distract canine pursuers!”
Training and preparation
With the departure date fast approaching, Grahame and Tim have ramped up their training. Grahame spends time on the turbo trainer at home and goes on outdoor endurance rides. “At our age, preventing injury is as important as the miles,” he notes. They’re focusing on stretching and strength work to ensure they can endure the long ride ahead.
One clever part of their plan is a Formula 1 style tyre change halfway through the Route 66 charity bike ride, to keep their bikes in prime condition. Grahame has received invaluable support from On Your Bike in Felbridge, who have provided equipment and maintenance advice. “Puncture repairs and quick roadside fixes are inevitable,” he says, preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.
Motels, diners and a night behind a petrol station
With no support vehicle following them, Grahame and Tim will carry everything they need on their bikes, including tents, tools, and enough water for desert crossings. They’ll mix motels with camping, even planning to spend a night behind a petrol station, a well known stop for cyclists. “It sounds awful, but it’s the only place to pitch a tent in that area, apparently it’s been tried and tested!”
The motels will be a welcome treat on a Route 66 charity bike ride. Route 66 is famous for its family run roadside motels, many with glowing neon signs that have welcomed travellers for generations. After a long day in the saddle, a proper bed, a hot shower and somewhere to wash their kit will feel like five star luxury.
Then there are the diners. Long days of cycling burn a huge amount of energy, so the classic American breakfast of pancakes, eggs and endless coffee will be fuel as much as a treat. For two Brits abroad, the roadside diners and small town cafes are all part of the adventure.
Meeting people along the way
One of the things Grahame and Tim are looking forward to most is the people they will meet. Route 66 has a reputation for friendly locals, generous motel owners and fellow travellers who love to swap stories over a coffee.
Two British cyclists loaded up with tents and panniers are bound to start a few conversations, and every one is a chance to talk about why they are riding and the local children they are riding for. Cyclists crossing America often speak about the kindness of strangers: a refilled water bottle, directions to a safe place to camp, or a cheery wave from a passing truck. Small acts of kindness like these are exactly what The Greenaway Foundation is all about.
Keeping spirits up
For safety and entertainment on the Route 66 charity bike ride, they’ll use helmet microphones for communication and to call out hazards. And when the silence becomes too much, they’ve prepared playlists ranging from the Beach Boys in California to Tony Christie’s ‘Is This the Way to Amarillo?’ as they pedal through Texas.
Where the money goes
While this journey is undeniably an adventure of a lifetime, Grahame is clear that the primary goal is raising funds for The Greenaway Foundation. “The work they do is incredible,” he states. “Every penny raised will go directly to the charity.”
The money raised by the Route 66 charity bike ride helps local children from financially challenged families who fly under the radar of formal help. The Greenaway Foundation provides Christmas meals and presents, school prom support, school uniforms, help with school trips and residential holidays, and transport to school.
Since the very first Christmas delivery, The Greenaway Foundation has provided Christmas dinners to over 7,000 families and delivered festive gifts to more than 12,000 children. Working closely with schools, social services and other charities, we reach families who would otherwise miss out, and every donation, large or small, goes towards making that possible. A challenge like this one brings in money, but it also spreads the word to people who may never have heard of us before.
Christmas is the biggest effort of the year. You can see what we are working towards this year on our Christmas 2026 page.
The real impact
As the miles of the Route 66 charity bike ride stretch ahead, Grahame remains optimistic. “This ride will test us in ways we probably haven’t even considered yet, but knowing every mile makes a difference will keep us going.”
Please show your support for Grahame’s epic Route 66 charity bike ride and his goal of raising £10,000 for The Greenaway Foundation.
Inspired to take on your own challenge?
You don’t have to cycle 3,800 miles to make a difference. If Grahame and Tim’s Route 66 charity bike ride has got you thinking, there are plenty of ways to raise money for local children closer to home.
You could take on a local sportive or a sponsored walk, run your first 5K, organise a bake sale at work or hold a quiz night at your local pub. Like Grahame and Tim, many of the best fundraising ideas start with a chat over a drink with friends. Even a small challenge can raise a surprising amount when your friends, family and colleagues get behind you and share your fundraising page.
Whatever your challenge, every pound raised for The Greenaway Foundation helps a local child, whether that is a Christmas dinner on the table, a present under the tree or a new school uniform. If you would like to fundraise for us, or volunteer at Christmas, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you, and we will cheer you on every step, stroke or pedal of the way, just as we are cheering on the Route 66 charity bike ride.
About The Greenaway Foundation
The Greenaway Foundation is a UK registered charity and is the charitable side of Greenaway Residential Estate Agents, which donates over 10% of all profits to the charity.
