Prelude

Welcome to the Probert Challenge 2011 blog!

Team Probert Complete the 2010 Challenge

This time last year, Team Probert set off on our now annual cycle challenge, taking on a mission of unprecedented scale and ambition: LEJOG, or Land's End to John o' Groats - a 1020 mile epic spanning the entire length of the British Isles. We completed the record breaking* 3 week adventure having born witness to beautiful sights, and met rich and interesting characters along the way.

*Most cream teas consumed on a single bike trek

This year sees us leave the British Isles to embark on a journey through cycling's ancient heartlands. We are flying out to Milan where, assuming our bikes survive the flight, we will attempt to pedal ourselves all the way back home to race HQ in Hamble, Southampton.

St Bernard Pass

The more Geographically astute blog readers will have already noticed (quite possibly with a disbelieving gasp) that the Alps are in the way. This represents the major challenge of the trip, so we have enlisted the help of two grizzled veterans of Alpine cycling (well that's what they told us) Marco and Ciro, who will accompany us for the first week as we look to take on and conquer the mountains!

Once we've thawed out after the long descent from the Alps, we launch a brief forray into Switzerland to take in a Southampton pre-season football match, before crossing the border into France with our sights set on Paris. From then on it should all be lazy cruising through vinyards and stopping off to catch the 'Tour' highlights in the local bars until we hit the capital, where we're aiming to watch the end of the race.

If all goes to plan we should hit British soil again at the end of July, and you'll be able to follow all the trials and tribulations (technology permitting) right here...

Finally, once again we're raising money for Parkinson's UK, a cause very close to our hearts. If you think this year's Challenge is at all awesome, and you have a bit of cash to spare, donations are very welcome!

Ciao!