Lewis Moody 'out of words' after completing 500-mile MND ride ahead of PREM Rugby final: 'Tears have been shed relentlessly'

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Former England captain Lewis Moody admitted tears had been "shed relentlessly" during his 500-mile (804km) charity bike ride from Newcastle to Twickenham via all five of his former clubs, raising awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

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Moody arrived at the Twickenham finish line in time for the Gallagher PREM Rugby final, won by Northampton Saints, after riding from the North East to London to draw attention to MND, following his own diagnosis.

The 48-year-old flanker completed the ride alongside a spate of former team-mates, including Lee Mears and Danny Grewcock.

”It was awesome. It’s epic,” Moody told TNT Sports. ”Being back together with mates - you forget the reason.

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”It’s been at the front and centre of my mind the entire week.

”But to have team-mates fronting up with me on this one, and all the incredible efforts and energy people have already put into this space, I’ve almost run out of words, emotion, any fluid left in my body.

”Tears have been shed relentlessly.”

Last year, Lewis Moody was diagnosed with MND, a rare neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and progressively damages the nervous system.

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On Saturday, the England 2003 World Cup winner completed his challenge to reach Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, where he presented the match ball ahead of the PREM Rugby final between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs.

”You always feel most alive when you feel the most discomfort,” Moody continued. ”We’ve got four or five decent cyclists but the rest of us just saw a bike for the first time a month ago and decided to get on it.

”Getting up the hills has been uncomfortable, but the love and care the team have for each other - team-mates are just awesome. They come together when you need them.

”Whether it’s getting your shoulders rubbed, your legs pulled, your back pulled. No one’s attacked my undercarriage thankfully. That’s still intact.

”But I've been enjoying trying to get this ball to the start line as well. It did exit the bike yesterday.

”It had a little bit of a bounce down the road, but it’s still in tip-top working condition, unlike the rest of the riding team that have pitched up here today.”

Moody added: ”I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone that has turned up along the route. The cheers, the smiles, the support has been incredible.

”Obviously, we’re doing it for a cause, and that’s the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation - it’s all for MND.

”It’s for people living with it, it’s for the six people diagnosed every day, and it’s for all the people I’ve met along the route, just special human beings who motivate you all the time, and you just want to do as much as you can in this space.”

For more information about the ride, visit https://lewismoodyxv-cyclechallenge.com/.