A two-day road cycling circumnavigation of Mont Blanc — Western Europe's highest peak — crossing through France, Italy and Switzerland. Over 320 kilometres and approximately 8,000 metres of climbing through some of the most dramatic alpine scenery on earth. This isn't a sportive. It's a mission.
320
km
Total Distance
8,000
m
Elevation Gain
3
nations
France · Italy · Switzerland
2
days
Of Pure Suffering
Why I Ride
1 in 2
The stats say that 1 in 2 of us will get a form of cancer at some point in our lives. With those odds, even if we're lucky, we'll have a family member or a good friend who gets diagnosed.
My good friend, David Topping, passed away earlier this year. What the stats don't come anywhere close to revealing is the impact it has — on the sufferer and on those around them.
To honour my friend I wanted to make a difference, and it's why I created the Ride 3:2:1 challenge. A means for us lucky ones to make a difference for the family and friends who make up the 1 in 2 stat.
David Topping & Jason Smith
The Route
Around the monarch of the Alps
Starting and finishing in Chamonix, the route loops around the entire Mont Blanc massif on some of the most legendary cycling roads in Europe — cols that have forged legends in the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and beyond.
Every pedal stroke takes you deeper into the heart of the Alps: soaring switchbacks, glacial valleys, alpine meadows, and three distinct cultures — each with their own food, language, and way of life.
Day 01
Chamonix → Courmayeur → Aosta
From France into the Italian Alps. Cross the high passes, descend into the Val d'Aosta, and feel the temperature — and the espresso — change.
~160km Distance
~4,000m Climbing
Day 02
Aosta → Martigny → Chamonix
Through the Great St. Bernard Pass into Switzerland, along the Rhône Valley, and back over into France. The final kilometres into Chamonix will stay with you forever.
~160km Distance
~4,000m Climbing
France
Italy
Switzerland
Chamonix · Mont Blanc Massif · 4,808m
The Climbs
Cols that made legends
2,469m
Col du Grand St. Bernard
Italy — Switzerland
2,188m
Col du Petit St. Bernard
Italy — France
1,526m
Col des Montets
France
1,527m
Col de la Forclaz
Switzerland
2,188m
Cormet de Roselend
France
1,650m
Col de Saisies
France
The Cause
Riding to outsmart cancer
Every kilometre we ride funds compassionate cancer care at one of the UK's most pioneering hospitals. This is where human endurance meets human kindness.
Founded in 1932 and granted charitable status in 1935, The London Clinic is the UK's largest independent charitable hospital. With no shareholders, every penny of surplus is reinvested into advancing healthcare. From pioneering the world's first independent plastic surgery unit to leading the way in robotic surgery and AI-assisted treatments, The London Clinic has spent over 90 years combining medical innovation with an unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care.
In oncology, The London Clinic is a recognised leader. Its award-winning Duchess of Devonshire Wing is one of the most modern and technologically advanced cancer centres in the UK, and in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, the clinic equips its teams with cutting-edge medical technology. It was the first private hospital in the UK to offer 3T MRI scanning, the first to gain JACIE accreditation for stem cell work, and continues to pioneer new treatment approaches — from robotic telesurgery to novel non-invasive therapies for skin cancers.
Edition 001 — The Quiet Room Project
This year's ride funds the refurbishment of the Level 1 Oncology quiet room — a dedicated space on an 18-bed inpatient ward where families receive difficult diagnoses, review treatment plans, and navigate some of the most significant conversations of their lives. The current room is functional, but it doesn't reflect the standard of care The London Clinic strives to deliver in these crucial moments.
With your support, the space will be transformed into a calm, private environment with nature-inspired design, comfortable seating, dimmable lighting, and therapeutic elements to help reduce anxiety — creating a room that actively supports the emotional wellbeing of patients, families, and the clinical staff who care for them.
The London Clinic · Oncology Quiet Room Refurbishment
The countdown starts here
Whether you ride, sponsor, or donate — you're part of something that goes far beyond the road. Join the 3:2:1 mission.
We're looking for strong riders who want to take on one of the toughest two-day cycling challenges in the Alps — and raise money for an extraordinary cause. If you've got the legs and the heart, we'd love to hear from you.
