I joined the Fireflies ride on their 2nd year, in 2002 - when 9 of us rode over the Alps with an upside-down map and a Super8 cine camera. On a long, long day which finished climbing up the Col de Turini as darkness fell, we found ourselves on the last descent to the small mountain hotel and some much needed food and a bed. It was pitch black up the mountain and of course, none of us had any lights, so we started riding down the steep pass in close formation, shouting from the front when a bend appeared in the gloom. Then, amazingly, a swarm of fireflies flew over our heads, bouncing off our helmets and lighting the way down the road until we could see the lights of the hotel in the distance. It was incredible and it felt like a miracle that had brought us all, utterly exhausted, safely back. From then on, we decided to call ourselves ‘FIREFLIES’. 

I’ve ridden over those mountains many times with the ‘Flies since - and the Fireflies West ride from SF-LA in 2014. Now I’m going down to Patagonia to see how the Fireflies have made a real difference to the people who need it most. In 25 years, The Fireflies are now a huge swarm, and millions of dollars and pounds have been raised for cancer research. 

All the riders are self-funded. We pay for everything ourselves, so every penny raised on this ride goes directly to to Fundación Vivir Más Feliz, a brilliant grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and treatment for paediatric cancer patients battling cancer . Also, along the way, with the help of sponsors, we donate equipment, books and computers to the local village schools along the route to make a lasting change the lives of the local children and give them the best chance of thriving in these remote communities.

CHARLIE CROMPTON

Fireflies Patagonia 2025