Matt, Ted and I have enjoyed many years of cycling and mountain biking around our home turf in the Cotswolds, and during our holidays close to Spedalicchio on the border of Tuscany and Umbria. When Matt suggested linking our two centres of fun by cycling between them, Ted and I thought that he was mad. But we like a challenge so how bad could a ‘1000 or so’ miles in the saddle be?
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
We completed our challenge on Saturday 17 August 2013 when Matt, Ted and I rode in to our destination close to the village of Spedalicchio. The challenge had tested us in every way: our fitness; our commitment; and, at times, our friendship. But we crossed the line together after an accumulated 79 hours in the saddle. In that time we had travelled 1911 km, and climbed 17 km over some very testing hills and mountains; and we had burnt almost 41,000 KCals, equal to almost 16 days of normal consumption! Along the way, we had experienced extremes of weather, from torrential downpours, thunder, lightening and temperatures reaching just short of 40C. We had endured long days, sleepless nights and endless punctures and technical challenges. But we did it - not least because of the support we revived from Landi, Sian and Anne, who kept us going even in our darkest moments (and in particular when we needed fresh kit having been soaked to the skin!)
Whether we do it again remains a topic for discussion (the consensus is no, but...) For now, thank you for your support and sponsorship, which has helped us raise money for our charities.
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