Reporter takes on mountain bike challenge (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Reporter takes on mountain bike challenge

WHEN someone says 'on your bike' to a journalist it usually means they don't want to talk.

But Standard Chief Reporter Paul Bull has taken the famous phrase literally and is planning to tackle one of the world's toughest events in South America next year.

The 32-year-old will take part in Inca Challenge, a gruelling 1,000km mountain bike race through the Andes, in September, to raise money for charity.

And personal trainers at the Bodylines gym at Cotswold Leisure Centre have already been putting our man through his paces.

Paul said: "I know the training will be hard but I'm really focused and want to raise as much money as possible.

"The staff at Bodylines have got their work cut out as I haven't even been on a bike since my teens and, in keeping with the journalist stereotype, have probably spent a little bit too much time in the pub since then.

"But I'd like to thank them for the encouragement they are giving me and the lifestyle changes I've recently made are already having a positive effect though."

The three-week event has been set up by the Cirencester-based Venture Challenge group, which is also behind the Polar Challenge race to the North Pole.

Teams of four will start out at the summit of a 6,000metre volcano - Cerro Ulturunco - in the Bolivian Andes, towing up to 25kg of equipment in suspension trailers.

The race will cross the Altipano semi-desert and the world's largest dried salt lake, Salar de Uyuni, before crossing into Chile for a final downhill dash across the Atacama Desert to the Pacific coast.

Paul has already returned to his hometown of Derby to recruit childhood friend Gareth Richards for the team and the duo plan to carry out part of their training in the Peak District national park in north Derbyshire.

Paul added: "I've had a couple of people express an interest in filling the remaining places but I would be delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in joining us for what promises to be an amazing experience."

Paul aims to raise money for the Cirencester Hospital Scanner Appeal and Cancer Research and is trying to drum up sponsorship for individual team members or the team as a whole.

He added: "We will even consider naming the team after a particular company or individual if the package is right and sponsors will have the satisfaction of knowing they are supporting two very worthwhile causes."

Anyone interested in joining the race or sponsoring Paul can call him at the Standard on 01285 642642 or e-mail paul@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk We will be reporting on Paul's progress in future editions of the Standard.