Anne Pierce, Springboard’s CEO, said: “I am punishing myself yet again by doing Team Velo… and in my saner moments I ask myself why? Each time the reasons for doing it drown out the protestations of my ageing body - it’s great fun, it’s an awesome sense of achievement and it’s competitive, in a kind of light-hearted but deadly serious kind of way!

“You meet some great people, you see some great sights, but most of all it’s a way of raising funds to make a difference to people’s lives – and that’s always worth the effort!”

The challenge is supported by Genuine Dining, Sky, and Pullman Hotels.