Rugby Legend Lewis Moody's 500-Mile Ride to Fight MND

When Lewis Moody noticed weakness in his shoulder at the gym last year, he didn't expect it would launch him into the fight of his life. The former England rugby captain received a motor neurone disease diagnosis in September, but instead of stepping back, he's gearing up for a seven-day, 500-mile cycling challenge that ends at one of rugby's biggest stages.

Moody, 47, is bringing together an all-star team of former teammates, including rugby legends from England's 2003 World Cup-winning squad. Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall, and several others who once battled alongside him on the pitch will join him on bikes this June. Even Phil Vickery, who admits he "absolutely hates cycling," signed up without hesitation.

The route starts in Newcastle on June 14 and winds through seven cities before reaching Twickenham Stadium on June 20. Moody will personally deliver the match ball for the Premiership final, capping off a journey that covers the distance from one end of England to the other. His teenage sons Dylan and Ethan will ride alongside him.

"I feel that I am being brought off the bench to take that baton forward," Moody said, referencing the rugby tradition of substitutes joining the game. He's channeling his competitive energy into raising funds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, named after Scottish rugby player Doddie Weir who died from MND in 2022.

The foundation has already raised £23.5 million for research into the degenerative muscle-wasting illness that affects six people every day in the UK. Moody, who spent years fundraising for brain tumor research after retiring from rugby, found recruiting supporters surprisingly easy. His former teammates jumped at the chance to support him.

Why This Inspires

Moody's approach to his diagnosis shows what happens when someone refuses to let a devastating illness define their final chapter. He's had to adjust his famous full-throttle style, learning to recognize fatigue and set new boundaries, but he's not slowing down where it counts.

The little daily challenges test him most, he admits. Opening bottle tops, holding a fork, and cutting food have become harder as the disease progresses. But within a day of noticing each change, he shifts his focus back to what he can still do rather than what he's losing.

His former captain Martin Johnson has become a watchful presence during training rides, gently reminding him when it's okay to rest. Wilkinson, who's never been seen on a bike, has reportedly hired trainers to get ready for the challenge. The image of elite athletes pushing themselves out of their comfort zones for a teammate captures everything that makes sports communities special.

Moody doesn't know how many more challenges like this he'll be able to do, which made organizing this ride so urgent. His old competitive fighting spirit has found new purpose in this battle against MND, and he's determined to make every mile count toward finding a cure, whether in his lifetime or beyond.