Actavis LifeCycle needs a physiotherapist to accompany this year’s challenge, which will see the participants travel about 2,000 kilometres from Minsk in Belarus to St Petersburg, in Russia.

“It is an amazing trip under very difficult circumstances but it is always a life-changing experience,” founder Alan Curry said.

The physiotherapist will not have an easy time: The 21 cyclists will require constant attention as the intense pace takes its toll. “Each day, we add another bandage or strap, apply cold presses and hot presses, monitor aches and pains, ensure that they are not getting dehydrated, tackle low and high blood pressure and rope in the medical team when necessary....

“But a big part of the job is supporting them. This is as much of a psychological challenge as it is a physical one,” according to Claire Camilleri Martin, the physiotherapist who accompanied LifeCycle two years ago.

In spite of the intense training, which builds up over the 17-week period until the cyclists are doing eight hours a day, the terrain and the relentless schedule of over 200 kilometres a day inevitably takes its toll on their bodies, with hands numb from clutching the handlebars, a saddle-weary bottom and aching leg muscles, not to mention the bizarre sunburn through the gaps in the helmet and gloves.

The training, supervised by Mr Curry, is shared between cycling and gym work and over the past eight weeks, the 21 cyclists have lost a total of over 100 kilos between them, with some losing just a few and one losing about 15 kilos.