Cycling challenge against the clock

2:40pm Monday 30th June 2008

A REDDITCH man has cycled 475 miles, the length of the Pyrenees, in just 100 hours as part of a charity bike ride with friends.

Mike Mayall set off from Hendaye on the Atlantic southwest coast of France and cycled across to Cerbere on the Mediterranean southeast coast of France.

The challenge (known as the Raid) was to complete the distance in 100 hours.

Mike said: "We set off on Tuesday June, 17 at 9am and finished on Saturday, June 21 at 12.15pm with only 45 minutes to spare.

"On average, we had to bike up at least two massive mountains a day, normally 16-18 kilometres of climbing to the top. Then once at the top we had to descend to the bottom at speeds around 40 miles an hour with sheer drops at the road edge.

"It was quite hard work, we biked on average for at least 12 hours a day and one day even cycled from 8am to 10.45pm."

The purpose of the challenge was to raise money for the Tuberous Sclerosis Association.

Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) is a genetic condition that causes growths in different organs of the body and can cause people to have epilepsy, learning disabilities, autism and kidney problems.

Mike added: "My cousin's daughter suffers with this illness so we were really doing it for her.

"So far I've raised around £600 but the goal to raise at least £5,000 between the seven of us so we need help. The more money we can get the more worthwhile all the pain will have been."

If anyone would like to donate money to Mike, they can visit www.justgiving.com/mickspyreneanbikeride.

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