Max Termini takes on the North Cape 4000 to raise money for SSAFA

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12 August 2024

Max Termini, a 41-year-old Leading Hand in the Royal Navy, has embarked on an extraordinary 4,000-kilometre cycling journey from Italy to Norway to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. Setting off on July 20th, Max’s adventure will conclude on Saturday August 10, when he reaches the North Cape, Norway.

Max, originally from Stockton-on-Tees and currently stationed in Cyprus, has always had a love for cycling. While he mostly enjoyed mountain biking, he recently shifted his focus to road cycling after moving to Cyprus. "I have always been into cycling, but mostly mountain biking. I bought my road bike last year and have been enjoying the Cypriot roads ever since," Max shared.

His decision to take on the North Cape 4000—a self-supported ride from Italy to Norway—was inspired by his love for travel and cycling, as well as a desire to raise money for SSAFA. "It’s a bit of a midlife crisis," Max joked, "but I love to travel and cycle, so why not combine the two and raise some money for SSAFA at the same time?"

Max’s connection to SSAFA runs deep. During his time working for NAAFI in Germany, SSAFA supported both him and his family. His father-in-law also dedicated 20 years of his life to working for the charity. "SSAFA has done so much to support families, including mine, so I thought it would be a worthwhile charity to support," Max explained.

The North Cape 4000 is no small feat. Covering 4,000 kilometres, Max will navigate various terrains and climates, all while managing the logistics of a self-supported ride. "The logistics will be a huge task, and the hills will definitely be challenging as I’ve mostly only ridden on flat roads," Max admitted. "The long periods of time sitting on the saddle will also be something I need to get used to."

Despite the challenges, Max is excited about the journey. "I’m most looking forward to all the sightseeing, exploring different countries, and the once-in-a-lifetime challenge of completing the ride."