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Local athlete aiming to be in peak condition for charity challenge

Steve Hewitt of Bradley Stoke, Bristol: Training hard for the Five Peaks by Bike & Hike challenge.

A Bradley Stoke man is preparing to take part in a gruelling ‘bike and hike’ adventure that involves climbing the highest peaks in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales AND cycling the 960 miles between them, all in the space of just seven days.

The ‘Five Peaks By Bike and Hike’ challenge is being attempted by a team of 19 amateur athletes and will raise money for The Marie Keating Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK.

Steve Hewitt, who lives in Berkeley Mead and is the foods manager at Marks & Spencer’s Cribbs Causeway store, will be with the team when it starts the marathon challenge in Ireland on Sunday 7th June with an ascent of Carrauntoohil. They will then ride to Northern Ireland to climb Slieve Donard before taking the ferry from Belfast to Stranraer and riding the 202 miles to Fort William.

After conquering Ben Nevis, the team will then ride 260 miles to Cumbria for the ascent and descent of Scafell Pike. A further 210 miles of riding then follows, bringing the team to North Wales, where they hope to walk up and down Snowdon on Saturday 13th June, seven days after setting off.

Five Peaks by Bike and Hike.

As far as can be ascertained, this will be the first attempt at completing the Five Peaks challenge in this way.

The team is being supported by Marks & Spencer, with logistics by Discover Adventure.

Steve says he “loves all sports”, but his number one passion is cycling and he has been a member of Velo Club Bristol for several years and competes in locally staged races.

He is no stranger to charity cycle rides, having previously cycled from London to Bristol to support the local air ambulance and from John O’Groats to Lands End for Help for Heroes.

Steve’s preparation for the gruelling ‘bike and hike’ challenge has included cycling upwards of 250km a week since Christmas, either out on the road or on rollers in his garage (whilst listening to his favourite tunes). He has also completed numerous hikes, including ascents of several peaks in the Brecon Beacons.

The whole team has set a fundraising target of £95,000 and Steve is well on the way to reaching his personal target of £5,000. Anyone wishing to help can do so via his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/stevehewitt5peaks/

This article originally appeared in the May 2015 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

Steve Hewitt (left) training outside the Marks and Spencer store at Cribbs Causeway.

Photo: Steve Hewitt (left) training outside the Marks and Spencer store at Cribbs Causeway.

Steve Hewitt on a training hike in the Brecon Beacons.

Photo: Steve Hewitt on a training hike in the Brecon Beacons.

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One comment

  1. Well done Steve. You have been a good friend and neighbour of mine for several years. I wish you all the best and I feel confident that you can do this.

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