At 5.30am yesterday, the Malmfältens Folkhögskola was already bustling with activity as the Travelex Lifecycle Challenge entered its ninth and penultimate day. The day dawned bright and clear auguring a beautiful day, a stark contrast to Tuesday’s bitterly cold and rainy weather.

It was another long day with 248 km to ride before reaching Pello in Finland, and therefore the weather was welcomed by all the team.

Yesterday’s journey saw long flat roads with no break in the rural surroundings save for some small villages dotted along the countryside. The cyclists took advantage of the flat roads to cycle at their own pace and to relieve their aching muscles, a welcome break although most cyclists were complaining that the scenery was too bland and monotonous and they preferred the mountainous route of Norway!

Forty-nine cyclists are still in the challenge and these are determined to remain so in spite of their injuries and saddle sores. Hopefully, today will see them all enter Rovaniemi, even though there may be a small number who may not be within the time frame of the challenge.

Donations can be made by making a deposit in the Life Cycle Accounts at HSBC or BOV or send a cheque to the Life Cycle Organisation c/o Renal Unit. Also by sms nos: 50617351 – Lm1, 50618928 – Lm3, 50610208 – Lm5.