Airmen back from 2,000-mile cycle ride (From Witney Gazette)

Airmen back from 2,000-mile cycle ride

9:00am Wednesday 11th October 2006 in Witney

A TEAM of RAF officers have just returned to Brize Norton air base after completing a 2,000-mile cycle ride to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The eight officers taking part covered the gruelling journey from Spain to Brize Norton air base in just 20 days, and averaged 100 miles a day.

During the endurance test, they had to cope with 45C heat in Spain, and steep hills and driving rain for days on end in France.

Exactly 20 days after they started, the cyclists rode triumphantly through the main gates at RAF Brize Norton, welcomed by the cheers of family and friends, nurses from the John Radcliffe Hospital cancer unit, Oxford, and staff from the station. Now back in the safety of the base, the intrepid team is enjoying taking a break from the saddle, resting their aching joints, and nursing their many blisters.

The senior non-commissioned officers and airmen, aged between 21 and 40, were all from 99 Squadron.

Officer in Charge, Flying Officer Marcus Eyers, said: "All Royal Air Force personnel are encouraged to regularly take part in personal development and team-building exercises.

"In 2004, a team from 99 Squadron took part in the national 4-compass points race from Lands End to John O'Groats, covering 1,400 miles in 18 days, and raising £10,000 for leukaemia research. This year, we wanted to do something a little different, and even more challenging."

"As well as pushing ourselves to the limit to benefit our personal development and get personnel from different disciplines to work together as a team, we also aim to raise money for Cancer Research UK, and exceed the record of £10,000."

A minibus and a flatbed truck supported the cyclists, carrying equipment, spare tents, and food supplies, which helped to look after the physical wellbeing of the riders. The route took the team on daily 100-mile cycle rides through central Spain, past Malaga and Madrid, across the Pyrenees, and along the coastal roads in the west of France, before getting on board the Folkestone Shuttle to bring them back across the Channel for the last leg of their journey, back to RAF Brize Norton.