Team Routeco conquer cycling challenge

Three days, 515 miles, 50 litres of water and a dozen poulet and fromage baguettes down and four members of Routeco Peterborough’s branch have completed this year’s Extra Mile cycling challenge Bike to the Future. The foursome were made up of Robert Norman, David Jakeman, Carol Clasper and Oliver Gregg.

The challenge involved teams of four cycling a combined distance of 515 miles over three days including a gruelling 28210 ft of total climbs at gradients of up to 12% (roughly one in eight) and Routeco took part in aid of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

The challenge began in Le Mans, with the first section of the ride down the famous Mulsanne Straight. The rest of the first day saw the team loop north of Le Mans around Alençon, reaching the peak at 1327 ft before descending back into Le Mans to cross the finish line. The team’s first and last (!) technical problem happened as they suffered a blown tyre!

On day two they travelled south out of Le Mans across the beautiful Loire valley. The weather was gorgeous and the scenery was fantastic as they made their way through rural France.




The third day of cycling was another loop from the starting point and they headed further south towards Limoges over the hilliest terrain of the three days. The highest of the climbs was at around 65 miles into the ride and reached over 2000ft. Unsurprisingly, the team all slept very well each night!

Speaking after the ride, Robert Norman said: "It was incredible experience, we have all had an amazing time and I personally have found a new obsession in cycling and can’t wait to get back in the saddle!”

The team are still counting all the offline sponsorship money collected but expect it to be around £1500 – smashing their £1200 target! Well done guys and thank you to everyone who has sponsored and supported them.