Toon legend Peter Beardsley is backing Bike For Bobby after learning of this year’s most ambitious charity trek.
The former Newcastle and England striker contacted Robbie earlier this year to find out about this autumn’s mammoth 3,500-mile journey.And now Beardo is right behind his former Magpies’ team-mate as Robbie steps up his training this month.
“When I heard about Bike For Bobby I wondered whether it could be done,” said Beardsley.
“But if there’s one man who can do it then it’s Robbie.
“When he sets his mind to something he sees it through.
“He was a great servant to Newcastle United for many years and wore his heart on his sleeve.
“He’ll be approaching Bike For Bobby with exactly the same attitude.”
Beardsley and Robbie were both members of Kevin Keegan’s famous Entertainers squad in the mid 1990s.
And both enjoyed two spells with their boyhood heroes after big money moves away.
“It means a lot to me and everyone at The Robbie Elliott Foundation that Peter has voiced his support,” said Robbie.
“He enjoyed his time playing under Sir Bobby for England just as much as I enjoyed playing under him at Newcastle.
“I think the fact that I’m raising funds for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, as well as Breakthrough Breast Cancer, means something to Peter.
“Knowing he’s behind me is a huge boost at a time when I’m really having to step up my training.”
This October Robbie will cycle from Lisbon to Newcastle via each of the clubs Robson managed during a stellar coaching career.
He is juggling a full-time job as a strength and fitness coach with US Soccer and Nike with the demands of a tough training schedule.
And Robbie has been back in the North East this week putting in the miles and making the most of the summer weather.
“I’ve just returned from a qualification campaign with the US women’s Under 17 squad in Guatemala,” he added.
“When I left it was wet and cold but the weather’s been great since I came home.
“It makes you want to get out on the bike and this week I’ve put in a few three to four hour rides around Northumberland.
“I’m starting to get used to being on a bike for hours at a time and this week I managed to take a drink without slowing down!
“That might seem like a small thing but it’s a major breakthrough for a cycling novice like me.”
Robbie and triathlete friend Phil Gray are now awaiting the confirmation of next month’s league fixture lists from around Europe before planning their final route.
And they are keeping their fingers crossed that they can be in Lisbon and Barcelona on matchdays before wrapping up a mammoth trip in front of 52,000 fans at St James’s Park.
“There are a lot of ifs and buts but in an ideal world we’d kick things off when Sporting Lisbon are at home and hit Barcelona on a match day,” added Robbie.
“But the main thing is riding into Newcastle on a day when United are at home. I’ll need an incentive to reach the finishing line by then!”
Donate to Bike For Bobby by texting TREF03 to 70070 and come back to www.robbieelliottfoundation.com soon for more details.