Sunday saw the eagerly awaited arrival of Leeds Rhinos legend turned Leeds Rugby Foundation Development Officer, Keith Senior and his Quest 14 team following their cycling challenge from Perpignan in the south of France, to Headingley, Leeds.
Senior was joined by Leeds Rugby Foundation's Jonny Wainhouse, Leon Crick and Rhinos Head of Finance Nigel Chambers to take on the mammoth challenge.
The Quest 14 team departed France last Sunday 22nd June and have travelled over 1000 miles before arriving to deliver the matchball onto the pitch for Sunday's Leeds Rhinos vs Catalan Dragons match.
That meant they had to depart Leeds at 2am in order for them to cycle the Leeds – Harrogate route of the Tour De France, covering 134 miles.
Day one saw the team cycle from Perpignan, the home of the Catalan Dragons, in the South of France to Gailac covering 136 miles. After a long first 12 hour day on the bike which saw them cycle up mountain after mountain, the team jumped in their ice baths to recover for day two.
Day two saw Senior and co cycle from Gaillac to Perigueux, taking in the fantastic scenery of the Dordogne covering 130 miles before day 3 took them up to Poitiers taking in over 117 miles.
A wrong turn however from the back-up team meant the guys had to overcome more adversity by cycling an extra 20 miles!
Senior then led his team to Le Mans on day 4, cycling 115 miles before day 6 ended with an overnight ferry in Caen to Portsmouth.
Now back on UK shores the team picked up their pace and cycled 134 miles to Leamington Spa before they then arrived at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Day 7, after 144 miles shortly after 8pm.
Many would think the challenge would be over, but the team then had to depart Headingley at 2am on the Sunday morning and cycle the Grand Depart of the Tour de France. By this time there were some defeated bodies and minds but the #Quest14 team battled on through the Yorkshire Dales, over the longest hill in Britain, Buttertubs, before delivering the matchball onto the Headingley Carnegie pitch in time for the Rhinos win over Catalan.
To see just how hard they have had to work throughout the week, check out their route below….
Itinerary
Day 1 22nd June Perpignan – Gaillac 136 miles
Day 2 23rd June Gaillac – Perigueux 130 miles
Day 3 24th June Perigeux – Poitiers 117 miles
Day 4 25th June Poitiers – Le Mans 115 miles
Day 5 26th June Le Mans – Caen (overnight ferry) 100 miles
Day 6 27th June Portsmouth – Leamington Spa 134 miles
Day 7 28th June Leamington Spa – Headingley 144 miles
Day 8 29th June Grand Depart Stage 1 + Harrogate – Headingley 134 miles
Total 1,010 miles
A percentage of the raised funds from this unique event will be donated to three other life changing charities; Sue Ryder – Wheatfields, The Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust and Joining Jack. As well as giving something back to other charities, Leeds Rugby Foundation will benefit greatly from these funds as they continue to 'Change lives through Sport'.
Keith Senior commented: "I would like to pay thanks to everyone who made this charity cycle possible. Thank you must go to Quest Solutions for their substantial donation. Thanks to Pims, the Yorkshire Charity, O'Hara's, Sue Ryder Wheatfields, Joining Jack, my Ambassador charity Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust and of course to all my Quest 14 team-mates. Thanks to Aldi, Rockstar and Iron Bru for their food and drink donations. Thanks also must go to 3v sport for the fanatastic cycling gear. Thanks to Christophe Jouffret for looking after us so well in Catalan. Finally a huge thank you to everyone who has donated money to the Quest 14 cause. This was one huge challenge and mentally was one of, if not the most challenging things I have ever done. To cover so many miles in just 8 days is mental! The early starts and late finishes were tough to take. The heat, the extra miles and of course arriving at Headingley on the Saturday knowing we had to go again the next day was probably the toughest thing to comprehend. But we have done it and I couldn't be any prouder!
Leeds Rugby Foundation have now raised over £20,000. You can show your support by donating via: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/quest14/124032
Alternatively you can Text QUES14 and your amount, either £1, £5 or £10 to 70070.
Stay tuned for the video highlights! The winner of the donation competition will be revealed TOMORROW. So donate now if you want to be in with a chance to win some unique prizes!
You can view images from the Quest 14 challenge on Leeds Rugby Foundation’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leeds-Rugby-Foundation/215340785217319
Stay tuned for video highlights of what was a memorable 8 days.