The 2010 Betfair Lifecycle Challenge was a tremendous experience for participants – to the point, however, that not many could say they would attempt it again once they touched down on home territory yesterday afternoon.
All smiles, and a couple of kilos thinner, the cyclists were greeted by applause, cheers, posters and flowers at Malta International Airport, following a “tough” 2,020-kilometre, 12-day trip from Venice to Manchester.
Still on a high from the experience along the so-called Devil’s Highway, some cyclists were reluctant to say they would do it again, happy to be surrounded by their families, who offered them a warm welcome.
Warmth was, in fact, one of the missing factors on the trek through seven countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, France and the UK.
Natalino Bezzina, 42, attempted the challenge for the first time, and it was because his welcoming daughter gave him an encouraging push that he could possibly consider a second on his arrival in Malta.
The hardest part was cycling a long stretch in the rain, with trucks zooming past. “It was so dangerous, there was no room for the slightest mistake,” Mr Bezzina said.
“What pushed me to go on at that point was the thought that while I was cycling in those difficult conditions out of choice, others were enduring long hours of sacrifice in the renal unit because they had to.”
The Betfair Lifecycle Challenge was also David Galea Souchet’s first attempt, and though he said it was “great”, it was likely to be his last.
“It was not a personal objective. I did it for charity, I gave it my all and I feel I have done my part,” he said, surrounded by his family.
The long route was charactersised by steep hills and adverse weather conditions, and even resting time was hardly comfortable — sleeping on floors.
But the most gruelling leg was probably the 240-kilometre stretch the team faced against a force seven head wind. They even cycled in the pouring rain for days, soaked to the skin, Mr Galea Souchet recounted.
Being part of a team, the effort of the organisers – and his mother’s prayers – kept him going at these times, he said.
“It is hard to understand just how much goes into it until you experience it first-hand. It is hardly a holiday as some may assume, and only when you are in it can you appreciate what it takes – and appreciate the presence of the back-up team.”
These have an equally hard time, according to Jennifer Chetcuti and Odette Spiteri, members of the kitchen team, who were also responsible for setting up signs along the route.
“It meant we would get up earlier than the rest – sometimes at 4 a.m. – and always finish last, having to feed everyone, clear up afterwards and pack, not to mention the shopping in between,” Ms Chetcuti said.
Even the physiotherapists play a major role in the challenge, lending their services before, during and after every daily challenge, even until 1 a.m.
“Apart from the usual knee injuries from overuse, we had some cases of hypothermia in the last few days in the UK. The cyclists were freezing but we managed to keep them going, using emergency space blankets, warm drinks and lots of bandages,” said physiotherapist Joanne Cardona.
Event organiser Alan Curry described the charity challenge, which has been running for 12 years, as “fantastic” despite the “logistical nightmare” of leading almost 70 people across seven countries.
“The group gets better and better and their attitude is just fantastic,” he said of the 43 cyclists.
From a physical point of view, things went well too and only two members of the team dropped out along the way, which he said was inevitable.
“In a crazy sort of way, people enjoy the feeling of putting themselves through something they would never imagine doing. It is tiring and frustrating, but if it were not so hard, it would not be so satisfying,” Mr Curry said, asked about what inspired the growing numbers to take on the challenge.
This year, the target was to raise €200,000 and Mr Curry said the 2010 challenge was not too far from reaching its goal, meaning the funds raised would be much higher than in 2009, which was disappointing due to the economic climate.
This year’s edition also aimed to attract 1,000 new organ donors, while the funds were intended to buy equipment for the renal unit, improve psychological support and get a car for staff to visit patients more regularly.
The cycle culminated in style at Old Trafford stadium, where the team was greeted by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson – a major highlight and possibly the carrot on the stick for many.
It was too soon for Mr Curry to say what he had in mind for next year’s challenge but he would certainly be doing it again. In fact, he intends to start planning it in a week’s time.