LifeCycle challenge getting tougher

Having gone through the hardest day so far yesterday, Lifecyclists face their most dreaded day today.

The HSBC LifeCycle Challenge, Where Only Eagles Dare is taking a team of cyclists and their back-up team over 2,300 kilometres from Romania to Germany crossing through Ukraine and Poland, to raise funds for St Luke's Hospital renal unit.

Spokesman Louise Bugeja said yesterday that because of a blast three to four weeks ago close to part of yesterday's planned route from Mukachevo to Sambir in Ukraine, there had to be a detour reducing the 220-kilometres trail by around 25. This, however, did not make the route any easier because the detour meant 10 kilometres of off-road cycling, eight per cent gradients and six kilometre hills.

All this came following Monday's daunting border crossing from Romania to Ukraine which saw the team wasting four hours at the crossing waiting in the scorching sun and only managing to get through after the help of the Ukranian consul in Malta was sought.

This meant that although the route was a mere 110 kilometres long to give the team time enjoy an afternoon of relaxation, exploring the quaint town of Muracheve, or merely catching up on some sleep, because of the delay at the border, the final cyclists clocked in after 8 p.m., throwing all such plans to the wind. The team's main concern now is that this experience would repeat itself today as it attempts to cross the border to Poland. This will be a big obstacle for the team since today's route, from Sambir to Nowy Sacz, is 238 kilometres.

Mr Bugeja said that the team was yesterday also joined by the luggage van which had been impounded by the police back at Cluj Napoca in Romania, its driver and Fr Pierre Grech Marguerat, who had remained behind with the driver.

The 25 cyclists taking part in the challenge are now down to 23 as two had to stop because of knee injuries.

Stephanie Dalli, a doctor with the back-up team, said one cyclist had to stop because of injuries under the knee-cap, the other because of injuries in the hamstrings.

She said that other cyclists were also suffering from knee injuries and saddle sores. Asked whether she thought more cyclists would have to stop without concluding the challenge, Dr Dalli said she could not say adding that the problem was that cyclists were not having enough time to recover.

Donations can be made in the LifeCycle accounts at HSBC 0611 987 920 50 or at Bank of Valletta 148 1452 1017, or by sending an SMS to 5061 7356 for a Lm1 donation, 5061 8921 for Lm3 or 5061 9218 for Lm5.

Donations to the LifeCycle Organisation can also be sent c/o Renal Unit, St Luke's Hospital, Guardamangia.

www.lifecyclechallenge.com