The Betfair LifeCycle Challenge got off to a great start this morning with a staggering 250km ride from the Czech capital to Prostejov. The 21 cyclists went through a relentless series of hills – easy at first but harder as the day progressed, climbing up and down over 3.2km in all.

Every day on the challenge poses the potential for problems and today, the team got separated and it required a detour that added quite a few kilometers until they could regroup, adding to the longest day they face during their 11 day-trip to Sarajevo.

The cyclists first stopped for a group photograph in the square by the Clock Tower of the Old Town Hall just as it chimed 7 a.m. under a clear blue sky with no sign of the heavy rain that fell yesterday. 

They then cycled 10km to the official start on the outskirts of the Czech capital, where the start time was taken. Although the challenge is not a race, the cyclists must be able to keep up with the group to ensure that the logistics can be provided.

The routine for each day is similar. The lead car puts up bright yellow signs at each junction, while the tail car follows the last cyclist and removes the signs. The cyclists stop every 40-50km for a snack of high calorie foods to keep energy levels up.

By the time they complete the day's target distance late this evening, the cylists will reach the 12th century city – known as the "Jerusalem of Hana" – where the kitchen team had set up lodgings and prepared the evening meal.

The cyclists then set off on Tuesday for Zilina, 220km away.

The Betfair LifeCycle Challenge is raising money for the Renal Unit.