Yesterday, day 8 of the Betfair Lifecycle Challenge, went well, and morale is once again high after the difficulties of the previous two days – in particular, the sleep deprivation suffered when most cyclists didn’t reach the accommodation at the end of day 7 until 1:30am.
The first 100km were flat, though for the rest of the route the cyclists had to contend with tough climbs through spectacular landscape. The first cyclist arrived at the accommodation in Hatay at 19:30, with the last one making it there by 22:00.
Review of Turkey
Yesterday was the last full day in Turkey before the crossing into Syria, and this is a good point to mention the attention received by the challenge from the Turkish media.
The local Turkish newspapers in the areas that the challenge passed through have given the team coverage every day, and local TV stations have carried out 4 interviews with Lifecycle chairman Alan Curry and other members of the team.
And as mentioned in earlier posts, the mayors of the towns the challenge passed through have often been there to welcome the cyclists, and the Turkish police have been happy to escort the team on several occasions.
The Lifecycle Organisation would like to offer its thanks to the people of Turkey for this amazing hospitality which has really spurred the team on through all the challenges they have encountered.
Please accept our apologies for the delay in getting this update to you.
Summary: Day 8 – Sat 15 Aug 2009 – Kozan to Hatay – 206km
