100% success for London 2 Paris!

Our season of cycling events all kicked off on 7th June with our first London to Paris ride.  

With 40 participants representing charities including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Princess Alice Hospice, Cornwall Hospice Care we enjoyed a rather dramatic ride out from the edges of London at York House toward the south coast with thunder storms on the horizon.

But everyone worked really hard and enjoyed the rural roads leading through the home counties.

 The weather for day 2 was kinder and the teams got to enjoy the sights and sounds of Northern France and very quickly got into the swing of cycling in France.

With the miles racking up quickly spirits were high and even though there were a few punctures, 8 for one rider alone, the smiles were plentiful as they kept the wheels spinning and edged closer to Paris.

The final ride into Paris was as magical as ever, with a few laps of the city passing the honey pot attractions of Champs Elysees and L'Arche De Triomphe finishing up beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower.

A supreme effort from everybody and a great first cycle event for the year so why not join us on 23rd August for our next open event and experience it all for yourself.

Kili in the Sun!

After my previous two treks up Kilimanjaro being in constant rain, I had lost some belief in the dry seasons in East Africa actually existing anymore.  However, I should not have doubted the weather as on this challenge, we had the best weather I have ever had on any of my previous 16 successful Kilimanjaro climbs. Even summit night, we were trekking in almost zero wind and balmy temperatures of minus 5-7.

Not only did this challenge re-inspire me because of the fantastic weather, allowing us superb views at all times, but also as it is was early in the season after the May rains all the camps were very quiet and we had the surprise of a private summit for more than 30 minutes!

I had the privilege of leading a great group of friends raising money for Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) on behalf of The Ultimate Travel Company.

I did find it hard this year what with my training involving a week spent snorkelling and drinking in Ibiza for my wife’s 40^th – not the best training schedule I must admit and contra to my normal no alcohol for 2 weeks before any high altitude trek.

However, all in all a fantastic challenge and really enjoyable so get out there and challenge yourselves this year.