LifeCycle team gets set for 2,000-kilometre ride

After weeks of training, 37 people yesterday packed their bags and left for a punishing 2,000-kilometre cycle that will take them across seven countries in the annual LifeCycle challenge to help patients on dialysis.

Sporting yellow T-shirts, the 22 cyclists and 15 members of the back-up team met at the airport departures lounge and said their goodbyes to family and friends before catching a flight to Prague.

From there, they will start their exhausting bike ride to Sarajevo to raise money for the renal unit at Mater Dei Hospital. The team will cycle an average of 200 kilometres a day for 10 days.

The cyclists have been preparing for the event, now in its 13th edition, for weeks training up to eight hours almost every day in the burning heat.

The back-up team handles the logistics of the trip. A truck will leave next week carrying all the kitchen equipment and donated foodstuffs with checkpoints set up every 40 to 50 kilometres to keep the cyclists supplied with their food and drink requirements.

Accommodation will be basic and was arranged with the help of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which contacted the mayors of the towns on the route to find accommodation in such places as parish halls and school gymnasiums – often provided for free.

For the first time. the cyclists will be equipped with GPS equipment, making it considerably easier to follow the route. However, they will still be given detailed route cards and preceded by a scout team of two who cycle ahead to put up fluorescent yellow signs at each junction.

So far, over €1 million have been collected since the first challenge was held. All the funds raised were donated to the renal unit.

There are about 235 patients on dialysis. Since each session lasts four hours and many patients need to be treated three times a week, some on alternate days and even daily, the use of home units makes a tremendous difference to patients’ quality of life. In fact, among the many things purchased by LifeCycle are home units that are used by about 45 per cent of patients. However, there are many other ways to make the sessions more bearable through television sets and methods to help patients monitor their dietary and liquid intake, for example.

Last year, LifeCycle raised €215,000, of which €135,000 went directly into the renal unit for life saving equipment.

SMS donations can be made by texting 5061 7370 to donate €2.33; 5061 8920 for €6.99; and 5061 9229 to donate €11.65. For landline donations call 5160 2020 to give €10; 5170 2005 for €15 and 5180 2006 for €25.