Ashby husband and wife team Ange and Richard Bebbington have successfully completed the first stage of their epic Rome2Home cycling challenge in aid of the Leicestershire charity, Wishes 4 Kids.

They have already recorded 600 miles as part of the charity ride.

The adventure began on August 22, with more than a few unexpected hurdles. 

Shortly after arriving at Rome airport, the couple assembled their bikes and set off into the punishing afternoon heat. This nearly ended the journey before it had begun, as Ange was hit hard by the scorching temperatures, forcing them to cut the day short. 

Thanks to the generosity of a local hotelier, they were able to recover and continue the following day.

Adapting quickly, they adjusted their strategy, setting off at 6am each morning to avoid the intense heat. 

Their journey so far has taken them from the coastal roads of Rome to the steep mountain passes used in professional races like the Giro d'Italia. 

Last Saturday, they crossed into France via the imposing 2,188-metre 'Petit Saint Bernard' pass. 

The descent into Bourg Saint Maurice brought further challenges when one bike's brakes failed, but quick thinking and a temporary fix kept them on the road.

Before their first rest day in Annecy, the couple faced the brutal Beaufort pass, climbing gradients of six to nine per cent for 13 miles, followed by another 65-mile push to complete the stage.

The self-supported, self-organised, and self-funded challenge will continue through France, with Ange and Richard aiming to reach Caen before catching the ferry back to the UK and cycling home to Ashby. 

So far, they have raised £4,000, all of which will go directly to Wishes4Kids, a charity dedicated to granting wishes for Leicestershire children with life-threatening illnesses.

Follow their detailed journey on the Rome2Home Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560190710056