Lampkin & Co storm the alps
By TMX Archives on 6th Sep 13
After almost a year in the planning, the Pedal de Alps project came to a highly successful ending on the sea front in Nice, as the five-strong team headed by 12-times FIM Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin arrived on the Promenade de Anglais to rapturous applause, having raised over 20,000 and rising for Derian House, thanks to their epic adventure.
Since leaving Derian House in Chorley two weeks before, the team had covered more than 1,000 miles and climbed over 35,000 metres for this personal and worthy cause.
The 13-day trip proved to be a journey of a lifetime, with long-standing Red Bull athlete Lampkin being accompanied by long-time friend Paul Dixon, his cousin James Lampkin, Hope stalwart Woody Hole and Doug's manager Jake Miller.
The five friends were joined by a series of guest riders along the way, with World downhill mountain-bike champion Steve Peat being the first on the opening day.
Speaking about Pedal de Alps, Lampkin said: "To have made it to the finish is a special feeling and one that I am very proud of, especially when you remember what we were riding for.
"To have raised over £20,000 pounds for Derian House is just incredible, as it is such a worthy cause.
"It was hard preparing for this project as I didn't really know what to expect.
"Normally when I am training I know what I am training for, but with Pedal de Alps it was different as it was a challenge rather than a competition, and one that I didn't fully appreciate before we set off.
"In the end it has been an amazing challenge and one of the toughest of my career, but one that I have enjoyed massively.
"It is the first time I have really had to ride as part of a team, but it was a great experience to be part of that combined spirit, which has been key to getting us across the line in Nice.
"Having pedalled over one thousand miles and up some of the biggest and most infamous climbs in Europe, I am now looking forward to getting back on to a motorbike as soon as possible.”
After the initial 125-mile leg from Chorley to Hull, the guys made the overnight ferry crossing to Belgium, before they endured three tough and difficult days in the saddle with rain and strong headwinds hampering their progress through the flat lands of Northern France.
The sight of Lake Geneva high from the hills above on day six certainly lifted spirits in the squad as they then headed to the French mountains for some serious climbing. Over the next five days the Pedal de Alps team successfully negotiated most of the major and famous climbs in the Alps, many of which have featured in the Tour de France.
These included Col de la Colombiere, Cormet de Roselend, Col del L'Iseran, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and the highest of them all La Bonnette, at 2,802 metres.
Irrespective of the terrain the team worked as a solid unit with one goal, which was to get all five riders safely to Nice whilst continuing to raise money for Derian House.
