Welland cyclist complete 1,500km French ride (From Malvern Gazette)

Welland cyclist complete 1,500km French ride

9:20am Thursday 1st October 2009

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A WELLAND cyclist said au revoir to aching joints when he completed a mammoth 1,500km ride across France on Wednesday.

James Appleby ended his gruelling fund-raiser, in aid of Malvern charity ARCOS, by sending a triumphant message to friends and family on social networking site Twitter.

“Complet! WE'VE DONE IT!,” he typed. “1500km, two sore ankles, two tired knees later and we're done. In Basel waiting for train to Paris”

His mother, Susan Appleby, was “thrilled” to hear he had completed the mission, with travelling companion Jo Harrington from London.

She said: “It’s just been a bit worrying in a way because of all the things that can go wrong and have gone wrong. It’s just great to know he’s through.”

Among the mishaps to befall the pair were broken chains, buckled wheels and even a live scorpion turning up in one of Jo’s shoe.

Mr Appleby, aged 30, set off from St Nazaire on France’s Atlantic coast on September 14 with the aim of reaching Basel on the Swiss border within two weeks.

Anyone wishing sponsor him can still visit justgiving.com//eurovelo6.

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