The cyclists taking part in the HSBC Lifecycle Challenge and the back-up team spent about four hours today assembling their bicycles and sorting out provisions in preparation for the 10-day challenge which starts tomorrow.
Spokesman Karen Zammit said the team arrived in Lourdes, France at 3 a.m. and were met by members of the advance back-up team, who informed them that the hostel they were staying at was fully booked. This led to the 60-people being squeezed into three rooms where they had to spend what was left of the night.
When they woke up some hours later, the team members walked two kilometres to their vans, where their bikes and provisions were kept.
The team’s wake up call tomorrow is at 4 a.m. They will first go to the Grotto, where the cyclists will be blessed before they embark on their 2,000 kilometre cycling journey across Spain to Morocco.
Their first hurdle is a 12-kilometre uphill ride at a nine per cent gradient to cross the Pyrenees into Spain. The plan for the day is to cycle 196 kilometres and spend the night in Huesco.
The HSBC Lifecycle challenge, now in its 10th year, is held annually to collect funds for Mater Dei Hospital's Renal Unit. This year, a group of renal patients were taken up to Lourdes by HSBC Lifecycle a few weeks ago.
Donations to Lifecycle can be sent via SMS on 5061 7378 for €2.33 (Lm1), 5061 8927 for €6.99 (Lm3) or 5061 9219 for €11.65(Lm5).
www.lifecyclechallenge.com