Record number of entries for Lifecycle challenge
A record number of applications have been pouring in for this year's Over And Above - Crossing The Arctic Circle Lifecycle Challenge, according to the organisers, whose aim is to raise money for kidney patients. To date, 63 applications have been...
A record number of applications have been pouring in for this year's Over And Above - Crossing The Arctic Circle Lifecycle Challenge, according to the organisers, whose aim is to raise money for kidney patients.
To date, 63 applications have been confirmed and the organisers are expecting more before the closing date on Friday.
Applicants include 20 women, 29 who have taken part in previous Lifecycle challenges and 10 who had previously been involved in the event.
The average age of the cyclists is 30, with the eldest being 52 and the youngest 18. A married couple are also taking part.
"The response has been staggering when you consider what this event demands from the cyclists," said event organiser and coach Alan Curry.
"We expected an increase in numbers after last year's success but the response has taken everybody by surprise".
The team will include Mr Curry, who will also be running the training programme and fitness tests for all the cyclists.
Cyclists will meet on regular Sunday rides, the first being on April 2, a day before the launch of the 17-week training programme before leaving for Oslo, from where the challenge starts on July 30.
It will end in Rovaniemi in Finland and the cyclists will return to Malta on August 12. A distance of 2,000 kilometres will be covered.
Training is being made more interesting this year. The Tacx Indoor Cycling Software, donated by Pedal Power, will be at the Sports Complex in St Aloysius College showing video images of cycle routes worldwide including simulated hill climbs of over 20 kilometres.
This would hopefully prepare the cyclists better than ever before. The images will be projected onto a large screen with equipment donated by Jos. Vincenti & Co.
The money collected from the challenge will go to buy another four kidney dialysis machines and patient couches for the Renal Unit at St Luke's Hospital.
Donations to Lifecycle can be made at its Bank of Valletta and HSBC accounts or by sending an sms on 5061 7356 for a Lm1 donation, on 5061 8921 for Lm3 and on 5061 9208 for Lm5. They can also be sent c/o the Renal Unit, St Luke's Hospital, Guardamangia.
www.lifecyclechallenge.com