A TEAM of Torbay business people are about to embark on an ‘Everest-style’ charity challenge.
Wollens partner Simon Bean and 15 other members of the Torbay Business Cycling Club start a gruelling three-day cycle ‘tour’ tomorrow.
The Round Devon 3X3X3 Challenge is in aid of the Above Water UK charity which provides education to children in water safety to reduce drowning and other accidents in water.
The team includes Simon, Mark Green, Adrian Lee, Andrew Rogers, Andy Beer, Andy Lawson, Chris Pounsberry, Matt Bettesworth, Jen Pichowski, Perry Tribble, Simon Eales, Ashley Cox and Queenie Martin.
The challenge, conceived by Mark Green from Fruition Design, is to circumnavigate Devon within three days – literally a mountain to climb as Simon explains: “Devon is the second largest county in England, it is also one of the hilliest.
“In total there will be 26,000ft of climbing, Mount Everest, by comparison, is 29,000ft above sea level.
“For some of us, this will be a difficult challenge. For the rest of us, this will be a very difficult and painful challenge. Regrettably, I fall into the second category. “
The cyclists will ride for three days, covering 300 miles and three coasts.
Day One will cover 86 miles, starting with the challenge launch from Beacon Quay in Torquay and then travelling along the south coast, before heading north at Plymouth and finishing the day in Tavistock.
Day Two is 81 miles with the team riding north from Tavistock to join up with and then ride along the Tarka Trail and finishing in Ilfracombe.
Day Three is a daunting 128 miles with the team setting off from llfracombe, heading south across Exmoor, and Dulverton, before reaching the coast at Budleigh Salterton.
The riders will then come back along the coast, before returning to Beacon Quay for a well-earned party at the Below Decks restaurant.
Simon says: “The county is at the mercy of the riders, or is it the other way around?”
To sponsor the riders just go to this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mark-Green64
