Lifecycle: Is the challenge too tough?

Lifecycle Challenge organiser Alan Curry's account of events since 1998, in a report in The Times published on August 27, has prompted me to express my opinion. Let me first of all make myself clear so that I will not be misinterpreted. I am not against the aim for which these challenges are being organised, but the method. I am sure that the aim of Mr Curry and all those who have involved themselves over the years is a noble one.

I am a keen cyclist myself and have cycled abroad for years. I know about the hardships and pain and the psychological preparation needed for the ordeal.

I feel that going abroad to different countries and covering extreme distances is an unnecessary hardship for the cyclists. I can imagine what eating and sleeping in those conditions, together with covering those long distances day in day out, can do to the cyclists.

I am sure Mr Curry is a good fitness instructor but perhaps lacks cycling technique. I do not agree with some of the things that I have heard about from several sources and even from the news published during the challenge. I am against, for example, cycling in small groups of three. The group should remain all together and in this way be taught how to pace themselves, as the one doing the pacing can save 30 per cent of the energy and more if situated in the middle of the group.

I noticed that they use gears which are too low. Low gears are good, but high cadence for such long distances can cause knee injuries which has been common to the group every year.

The distance is being increased every year, now reaching 2,300km. I sometimes ask myself, what are they aiming for, the same number of kilometres as the Giro d'Italia or other tours? It must not be forgotten that the professional cyclists have the best medical care, accommodation, beverages and meals as well as days of rest in between, which is quite different.

Cyclists who have taken part express the opinion that the expenses involved are too high. Is this one of the reasons for the falling participation? I have always felt that as the funds are collected in Malta, the challenge must be carried out in Malta.

My suggestion for the 10th anniversary is 8888 Challenge 2008. There would be eight nights, eight days, eight hours and eight cyclists involved. The event would consist of a sort of marathon running non-stop for eight nights and eight days where 32 cyclists in groups of eight will run on a roster for eight hours.

The route would vary every two days involving two or three towns in Malta and Gozo. The route could be selected possibly passing in front of the business of some sponsors. Along the way one or two stalls would be set up during the day to entice and collect donations from passers-by.

Like this, the cost of overheads such as air fares, transport of bikes and equipment, back-up transport, insurance cover, accommodation and half the meals could be saved. This would be possible because cyclists would be able to go home and rest in a proper bed and eat. Transport might be obtained free of charge. Some expenses can be used instead for advertising locally on TV or radio.

This is my constructive suggestion and I have held this opinion for a long time. I am sure in this way the donations would increase and Lifecycle's aim would the topic of the day.