Ex-Blues striker Alan Lee says last year’s London to Amsterdam cycling challenge was a "really fulfilling experience” in addition to raising money for the academy and Prostate Cancer UK and will be joining next year’s 50-strong Team Ipswich making the same trip.
"It was fantastic to raise the money for the charity and the academy,” he said.
"I have to say it was a really fulfilling experience as well, the training beforehand, the camaraderie and the couple of days. It was great fun, but it was hard work.
"The weather was lovely, there were nice people and it was well organised. On top of it being a good cause it was really good fun.
"Jumping in the canal in Amsterdam was a highlight as well! The second day was a bit harder and of course you've got all these sores, so we were on the outskirts of Amsterdam and there are big canals, almost like lakes really, so on one of the breaks a few of us took the chance to hop in the river and refresh, it was really nice.”
Lee, 36, says that despite only being officially launched this morning, Team Ipswich is already mvoing towards recruiting its 50 members.
"The target is to get 50 this time and we’re well on the way,” he added. "When the email went out everyone who did it last year hopped straight on it and everybody has heard about their experiences and wants to come.
"We’re hoping to make the 50 and thank you to everyone who lent their support last year and thank you to anyone who is planning to support us this year again.”
He says it’s probably wise to do some preparation: "You don’t want it to be an absolutely disastrous experience for you, so I would recommend anyone taking it on doing some training.
"It’s not the Tour de France but on the other hand you don’t want to be taking 10 or 12 hours when people who have trained are taking six hours. I think that really makes it a slog.
"I would recommend to anyone to do your training, you don’t have to go mad at it but being part of a team preparing for something is part of the fun.”
Lee hung up his boots in the summer having undergone knee surgery and is continuing his recovery: "I’ve not been on my bike since Amsterdam because of the operation.
"But it’s going really well, I’ve been completely off the crutches for a month or so and I’m feeling really good.
"By the end of the day the knee feels a bit sore, but it’s getting better all the time and hopefully I’ll be able to resume training pretty soon for the bike ride.”
The Irishman says he’s thoroughly enjoying life coaching in the academy and works with the U18s alongside Gerard Nash.
"I absolutely love it,” he enthused. "It’s a real learning process. Like today, everything’s gone really well, the lads came in so bright and bubbly.
"But it’s about trying to stay on an even keel when things aren't like that. You’ve got try and detach yourself from the results business that you’ve been involved in for 20 years and realise that kids won’t be as consistent as professional footballers and the important thing is that we get them through.
"Some days you’re scratching your head, but it’s so rewarding on a day like today when the lads really got the little session that we put on. It was lots of fun. I find it very challenging but I’m learning a lot and I’m enjoying. I hope the kids are!”
If you want to join Team Ipswich for next summer’s event, email simon.milton@itfc.co.uk, while full details of the event can be found here.