The second day of the HSBC Life Cycle Challenge took the participants into the Sierra Nevadas proper. The problem with the Spanish police has been solved. The cyclists left Huesca at 8am yesterday and are currently tackling the foothills, travelling towards Alcaniz.

On Saturday some cyclists were stopped by police, who claimed the roads were too dangerous due to heavy traffic. This was going to create major havoc to the organisers’ detailed plans, so they insisted that the planned route was considered to be safe since minor roads were purposely chosen.

After hours of friendly attempts to persuade the police, the organisers, together with the kind intervention of Chiara Felice, the police allowed the challenge to continue provided that the teams were split up and the cyclists travelled individually.

The challenge is already starting to take its toll on the participants. On Saturday, a cyclist had to stop due to severe migraine. The lifecycle support doctor reported that it was caused by the extreme cold weather in the Pyrenees.

Throwing these setbacks behind them, the team are now travelling through the picturesque villages in the south of Spain. This is a unique experience for the cyclists as they move further south towards the Strait of Gibraltar.

The support team have been busily setting up route signs to make sure the cyclists remain on the pre-planned route.

More information, photos and updates can be obtained from www.lifecyclechallenge.com. The public is encouraged to make donations in support of this noble cause. Donations can be made through the website, via SMS on the following numbers: 5061-7378 for e2.33, 5061-8927 for e6.99, 5061-9219 for e11.65, by cheque or postal order to Life Cycle Organization, c/o Renal Unit, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta, or by direct transfer to HSBC (Malta) account 061-198-792-050, or Bank of Valletta account 148-14-52-1017.