Winchester cyclists complete extreme 840-mile challenge (From Romsey Advertiser)

Winchester cyclists complete extreme 840-mile challenge

5:23pm Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Winchester

A PAIR of Winchester cyclists has completed a gruelling 800-mile cross-country charity tandem ride.

Dominic Irvine and Dr Ian Rodd arrived in John o’ Groats just over two days after setting off from Lands End.

They were trying to break the record for a tandem ride over that distance but fell short by eight hours, finishing in 58 hours and 56 minutes.

But so far they have raised £5,000 for the Magic Wand Appeal for a new children’s ward at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, where Ian is a consultant paediatrician.

Dominic, 44, an endurance cyclist, of South Close, Alresford, said: “The last couple of days have been an amazing blend of euphoria, fatigue, camaraderie, along with an enormous sense of achievement.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t break the record but I’m pleased we never gave up and when we realised we could no longer break the record it was actually a release and the ride was really quite enjoyable.

He added: “It was fantastic working with Ian and a privilege to ride with him. He has gone from not doing much endurance cycling at all to this monumental distance and pulled it off.

Dr Rodd, 41, of Downs Road, South Wonston, said: “It was pretty emotional. I spent the last day and a half wondering if were going to make it at all and the last hill up towards John o’ Groats felt like it was the last hill I would ever ride. But Dominic did a great job as team captain making the decisions.

“We had a phenomenal support team including Winchester GP Alex Fitzgerald-Baron who helped make sure we could do it so it was a great sight to see them at the finish line.”