They did it! The 70-strong team of intrepid charity cyclists who set out from Bristol last Friday reached Paris on schedule four days later – tired, slightly sore but in convoy and extremely jubilant.
The business people, medics and supporters are now hoping their feat will have earned more than their target of £100,000 for Bristol charity Above & Beyond’s £6m Golden Gift Appeal. 
Having spent weeks training for the grueling 430km journey, the teams were in peak physical condition when they were cheered off from their starting point next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. And it showed as they cycled across southern England and then northern France to arrive at the finish under the Eiffel Tower.
Among business teams taking part were cyclists from architects AWW, Specsavers, Weaver Demolition Services, Clifton Estate Agents, Ardent Communications and Renishaw as well as members of Bristol Media.
Business ambassador for the challenge and Bristol Media team member, Stuff Advertising managing director Jonnie Galvin-Wright said: “It’s been a truly unforgettable experience with lots of challenges through training and the trip itself. But an experience none of us will ever forget.”
Also taking part was Team Balloon – the team behind the charity’s hot air balloon at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, including pilot Ian Parsons.
The money raised will fund a new individual room in the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), giving younger patients with life-limiting cystic fibrosis greater privacy and dignity in care, with the space needed for vital physiotherapy equipment and for loved ones to stay close by.
Above and Beyond chief executive Sarah Talbot-Williams welcomed the team as they arrived at the Eiffel Tower. She said: “Each and every one of them has done something amazing for our hospitals.
“They showed fantastic team work with cyclists of all abilities working together to complete a very demanding challenge of covering 430km in just four days.
“They arrived in convoy together at 4.15pm on Bank Holiday Monday – all utterly committed to their goal of raising the funds needed for a new individual room to give patients with Cystic Fibrosis treated at the BRI greater privacy and dignity in care.”
Pictured: Above, Jonny and Mike Weaver – son and father – of Weaver Demolition Services celebrate completing the Cycle Challenge. Below, the entire team at the finishing place
