Teams left from Portsmouth on the overnight ferry to St Malo on Wednesday 28^th September. Starting under the historic walls of this maritime city, they cycled from Brittany into Normandy and headed south over the Loire to spend the first night in the home of pre-Champagne favourite fizz, Saumur.  A marvellous evening was had by everyone in the caves of Ackerman who welcomed each rider with a glass of their world renowned fizz. Then, following river valleys that climbed into the foothills of the Massif Central, they spent the second night on the outskirts of the city of Limoges. Riding on south towards the headwaters of the Dordogne on day three, the Challenge finish line was close to the 14^th century medieval bridge over the river Lot at Cahors, home to the “black wine” revered by Tzars, Popes and Princes. Teams returned to Portsmouth from Caen late on Sunday 2^nd October.

The weather was perfect, blue skies every day without a cloud in the sky.  Temperatures were in the late 20s and the scenery spectacular.   The morning mist hovering over the Loire as cyclists rode along side it was in due course replaced by the gorge of the river Creuse and then the foothills of the Massif Central.  France's premier site, Rocamador gave way to the gorge of the River Lot and the final run into Cahors where the finish line was a mini French market with a beer tent dispensing well earned refreshment.

Teams were made up of "extra"ordinary people rising to a physical challenge raising money for charities through personal and corporate sponsorship.  All that was required were the legs and stamina to ride their share of 540 miles and the commitment to raise a minimum of £1,000 per team for charity, half of which could be donated to a charity of the team's choice.    The team entry fee of £1,260 covered the cost of cross channel ferries, over night cabins and three nights’ half board accommodation.    Teams provided their own support vehicle and typically had road racing bikes.