Cyclist Mike pedals to epic Italian job

* Mike Edwards in action on his bike.

A KEEN Llangollen cyclist has powered his way to a riding holiday through the spectacular Italian countryside after winning an online competition.  

Mike Edwards will now be teaming up on the Italian job with his equally bike crazy son to pedal the 450 miles from Milan to Rome this September.

* Christian Edwards on the Prudential Ride
London in 2013 in which his time was 6.47.17)

Mike, 70, a retired chartered surveyor, entered the competition on the Ride25 cycling website and heard recently that he had been chosen as the winner.

 

His prize is an epic ride which takes in rolling hills, sunflowers, hilltop villages and historic delights.
 

The tour, which takes four and a half days, also offers the opportunity to see the historic cities of Piacenza, Bologna, Orvieto and Rome.  

Mike will be setting off on the adventure with his eldest son, Christian, 42, who lives in Wrexham and works as a service engineer. Like his dad, he is also an avid cyclist.

Mike said: “I am absolutely thrilled and excited to have won the competition and my son and I are looking forward to riding in Italy in September.

“I have been on holiday to Tuscany several times and those rolling hills and spectacular scenery will be great to view from my Italian bike, an Bianchi Infinito.”
 

He added: “Christian has been cycling for several years. He has completed Ride London, a 100 cycling sportive, and has also done several triathlons including a Olympic Distance 2k swim, 80k bike and 13.1m run.

“I had a big birthday last September with the numbers zero and seven but not necessarily in that order.
 

“I spent most of my working life with the old Wrexham Maelor Council and used to run with Wrexham AAC. I have completed 11 marathons including four London and two Snowdonia. 

“In recent years Chris and I have mainly concentrated on cycling, both mountain bikes - mainly at One Planet Adventure in Llandegla - and road bikes.
 

“Christian and I are cycling buddies as well as father and son. We are both doing Chirk Sprint Triathlon in April and Ashbourne in May when we will be joined by my eldest daughter Claire who is 29 who is making her triathlon debut.

“After Ashbourne Chris and I will concentrate on building up our mileage to be able to ride 450 miles in four days in Italy.

“This will probably take in the Mark Cavendish Sportive which is being held in August and includes the iconic climb of the Horseshoe Pass.”