Going beyond – the team cycle 430km to Paris

20 May 2017

After four days of sweat, toil and aching limbs, three intrepid cyclists, Simon Harnaman, Pete McBride and Jenni Rowntree from Absolute Wealth Management, arrived at the Eiffel Tower in Paris on May 1st.

This unforgettable bike ride challenge was organised by local hospital charity, Above & Beyond to support children who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Absolute Wealth Management raised more than £8,000, through a combination of sponsorships and fund raising events, helping the charity reach their £100,000 target, in total the event raised just over £154,000.

In total, eighty riders left Ashton Court on day one, 28 April, to cycle through the beautiful countryside of Somerset heading for Portsmouth. The route took the cyclists through Wiltshire, arriving at Salisbury after 100km in the saddle, which included tackling a variety of hills along the way. Thankfully the second day was a lovely 80km ride from Salisbury to Portsmouth.

Following a brief respite on the overnight ferry to Caen, the cyclist woke early, ready to be back in the saddle by 6:30am and a hard third day’s ride. As Simon recalls, “The day that followed is one we will never forget, cycling 140km into a head wind along with torrential rain all afternoon.  It was a shame as we couldn’t appreciate much of Normandy, though the hotel stop was a more than welcome sight!”

By day four the riders only had a 110km ride left before Paris! Kind weather and bolstered by the best lunch of the trip, plus a little too much Brie, all eighty cyclists managed to safely navigate through Paris arriving at the iconic Eiffel Tower on Monday 1 May. 

“This experience has been unforgettable – not only have we supported an amazing local cause, we pushed ourselves physically beyond our wildest expectations!”  remarked Pete McBride.  “So, what’s next?  The Tour de France?  Well, watch this space…!”

Categories: charity