Cycling convert Hugh Hill, 49, completed his Etape Series 2013 hat-trick on Sunday after tackling the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines alongside thousands of other sportive riders.
Despite only taking up cycling two years ago, Hugh, from South Ayrshire, Scotland, also completed May’s Etape Caledonia and the inaugural Etape Mercia in August – amounting to 228 miles on the bike, with 5,532 metres of climbing.
Equivalent to the height of Mount Everest’s Base Camp and the distance from London to Newquay, Hugh completed the final leg of his hat-trick in 8:01:04 hours and admitted the final challenge had been the toughest.
“The Pennines challenge was definitely the most difficult,” he told RCUK. “Despite my ambitions for really getting ready I was not as prepared as I needed to be – it was very hard!
“I signed up for this year’s Etape Caledonia last year and decided to do all three because it looked like a tough ride.
“The plan was to set the Pennines as a target at the end of the year to get fit. It was something that I thought I could aim for at the end of the season.
“Preparations were really about getting out as regularly as possible. It was a case of getting up before work and doing 25 miles and then going out and doing longer rides at the weekend.”
Nevertheless, Hugh admitted he was delighted to have completed all three events particularly given his relative inexperience.
“Completing all three has given me a real sense of achievement,” he said. “I only really took up cycling in the last two years and these are three big events.
“They are fabulous events and so well organised. Eighteen months ago it’s not something I could event have thought about.
“In retrospect, for somebody who’s very close to 50, has high blood pressure, is an ex-smoker and has three kids and a job, I did not do too badly!”
Many of the Etape Pennines riders raised money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, but Hugh believes he has also benefitted on a personal level from committing to all three.
“It’s been a real lifestyle change, I’m now fitter and healthier,” he explained. “Cycling’s a fabulous sport to take on. I’ve managed to lose 20 pounds and my blood pressure’s down a bit.
“It’s made a huge difference to my lifestyle. It’s a challenge and it’s about setting a challenge at the start of the year. If you have got a challenge it’s better to motivate yourself.”
Former European Cup-winning footballer David Hodgson also rode the event with ex-Middlesbrough defender Steve Vickers – whose father is battling cancer.
Hodgson said of the event: “That was difficult but amazing. The last section, cycling into the wind, made it even harder.
“But when you saw everyone’s faces when the crossed the line you saw that it was definitely worth the hard work and effort.
“I was so proud to receive my medal. It was such an achievement and I’m very pleased to have raised funds for such a worthwhile charity in the process.”
For more information on the Etape Series and for future event details visit www.twitter.com/etapeseries and www.facebook.com/etapeseries.
