Actavis LifeCycle Challenge | Piling on the miles

Report by Actavis LifeCycle Challenge cyclists

A second cyclist taking part in the Actavis LifeCycle 2013 Challenge has succumbed to knee injuries and will have to drop out of the event. Although the extreme nature of the event makes these casualties inevitable, it is a bitter disappointment for not only the cyclist but also for the rest of the team, who have bonded over the past 18 weeks of training and became an extended family.

Most of the cyclists are slowly but surely getting covered in bandages and strapping tape as the tough pace takes its toll on their legs, arms and torso.

Friday was one of the days when you really appreciate what LifeCycle is all about. The route wound up the Baltic coast from Klaipeda in Lithuania to Ventspils in Latvia, going through beautiful forested area with numerous picturesque villages to break up the monotony. But there was a strong headwind hampering the cyclists and slowing them down.

It turned out to be a nightmare on one of the longest days - 220km over 12 hours. After a night in the relative comfort of a university dormitory, they set off again bright and early heading for the capital of Latvia, Riga - a World Heritage Site - which they will have little opportunity to enjoy after a 186km ride.

In the meantime, the kitchen team was facing its own problems: buying a gas cylinder for the portable kitchen that they need to set up at each accommodation proved to be a challenge in itself. These are simply not available in countries which are supplied with mains gas, forcing the head of the team to resort to dishes like couscous and salads. After managing to find a cylinder they realised they had another problem: the currency. They have already been through four different ones since Sunday - and then another challenge to find a regulator that matched the equipment.

The strong winds of the past few days have taken their toll on the cyclists and the sports hall last night was a constant concerto of coughs and sneezes. The morning air is surprisingly fresh and the endless straight road through trees is in the shade, only warming up by late morning, made it much harder to warm up.

Sunday is the longest day - 264km - which is particularly tough coming halfway through the Actavis lifecycle 2013 challenge. The 1000km have already started to take their toll on the cyclists, who need regular medical attention at each checkpoint.

Today's ride takes us to Estonia, the fifth country in a week, and back to the euro currency after days of struggling to change currency just to be able to buy a cup of coffee.