On 20th August, 7 of MPMs staff joined with over 20 friends and family members to embark on a 250 mile cycle challenge, from London to Paris. The Challenge Team of 18 cyclists and 8 back up crew, followed the Avenue Verte route which took them from Central London, over the South Downs to Newhaven, where they crossed, by Ferry, to Dieppe and then on to Paris. The team, cycled through towns, villages and beautiful countryside, on both sides of the Channel, along a mixture of on road and traffic free cycle trails along river paths and disused former railway lines, up hills and down dales. None of those taking part were experienced cyclists, many never having cycled more than a few miles, before any training started 6 months earlier. However, what they lacked in experience, they made up for in enthusiasm and with good luck, fair winds, few punctures (although one unlucky cyclist had 5 punctures in just one day) and a good physio, they arrived at the steps of Notre Dame just 5 days later on Sunday 24th August.

Several charities benefited from the event, including, The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Cancer Research UK, Foundation for Liver Research and On Course Foundation providing long term benefits for injured service personnel and veterans through golf, and we would like to thank all those who sponsored our cyclists in this fantastic achievement and worthy causes.