This year's first challenge was a 7 day cycle ride covering over 500 miles and climbing more than 12000 meters. It started from Lyon and finished at Nice on the Côte d’Azur on the 10th to the 17th May 2008.

The route passed through some of France's most beautiful and spectacular countryside including the Rhône Valley, regions of the Alpes including the Rhône Alpes, the little known mountain ranges of Le Vercors, Les Alpes De Haute Provence, the famous Mont Ventoux, lavender fields, vineyards and olive groves of Provence, the breathtaking Gorges du Verdon, tranquil alpine pastures and ski villages of Les Alpes Maritimes before descending to the sparkling Mediterranean of the Côte d'Azur.

The challenge which was spectacular, beautiful and at times quite breathtaking, climbed and descended some high mountains cols and covered a tough route climbing over 12,000 metres.

Riders flew to Lyon arriving late morning and will then re-built their bikes before setting off for the first night’s rest at Voiron, nestling in the foothills of the Chartreuse massif and home to the Chartreuse distillery. The following day saw the first serious ascent into the Park Regional du Vercors with a stunning climb where at one point, the road is literally cut out of the rock face so it has a rock ceiling! The scenery in the park is magnificent and culminates with the ski station of the Montagne de Beurre before the descent to Die. That night’s aperitif was the sparkling Clairette de Die. On south to Vaison la Romaine for a respite to prepare for the famous Mont Ventoux, a climb of more than one vertical mile and a mecca for serious cyclists. After a nights rest at St Etiene sur Orgue, they headed down to the pretty but touristy Moustiers before entering the Gorge du Verdon and some of the most spectacular views in France staying that night at Le Palud on top of the Gorge. On through Castellane, the next day’s route took the cyclists into the Alpes Maritime and the Gorges de Dalius and the climb to the ski station of Valberg where they stayed the night at an altitude of 1673 meters.  The last day’s ride swa a truly spectacular decent to St Sauveur sur Tinee before heading down the valley to Nice culminating in a ride along the Promenade des Anglais, a reception on the beach and a nights rest in a Seminary before heading home the next day.   A combination of poor weather, a deviation into the mountains to avoid a busy road and unseasonably inclement weather took the shine off the last day slightly but that was soon forgotton as riders and marshals sat by the old port of Nice drinking the odd demi pression or three into the small hours.

The event entry fee to cover costs wass £675 and each participant raised a minimum of £250 for a charity of their own choice, but they were encouraged to raise as much as possible, beating last year’s best fund raiser with some £8,800.

For more information, email sifide@msn.com or chris@saltrick.co.uk