Mike just sent these from up at Attelas where the poor boy is working for TeleVerbier on the lift maintenance. Very cold work indeed, but great views…

So it’s not a bad thing. Not completely.

And as Billy Connolly once said, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes…” So the Performance down jackets might be trotted out any day soon.

Yes, the Lake Geneva Challenge. A group of cyclists aimed to do a circuit of Lake Geneva and a lone rower was planning on rowing the entire length of the thing.

It was all for charity, of course, and their ridiculous efforts raised over £4000. (Although you can still join in and make a donation….).

And here’s how it happened (there are some links to pictures here but thanks to the magic of technology all the pics are collected at the bottom of this blog):

1. So the Lake Geneva challenge is on… Neil rowing the length of the lake, Gareth biking round it. Here’s the story: http://bit.ly/bSt9G6 #
2. #LakeGenevaChallenge He’s off. Conditions are perfect, water’s like a sheet of glass. Spirits are high. I’m off to MacDonalds. N #
3. To find out exactly how daft the whole #LakeGenevaChallenge is you can read James’ interesting article: http://www.planetski.eu/news/1951 #
4. @planetski forecasting La Niña next winter http://bit.ly/d3Pget so I don’t think it’s too early to whisper about the 100 year storm again… #
5. #LakeGenevaChallenge Bikers have started “Depart Villeneuve: Jonas, Pedro, Ian & me – the Verbier Peleton” from Gareth. Only 175km to go… #
6. #LakeGenevaChallenge Gareth starts the mammoth trip round the lake… http://twitpic.com/2geq4j #
7. #LakeGenevaChallenge Three of the four cyclists ready to go. And shamelessly plugging sponsors… http://twitpic.com/2geqkb #
8. #LakeGenevaChallenge Stage 1 to Meillerie complete. Very windy and choppy on the water, but the big man’s powering on to Evian… N #
9. #LakeGenevaChallenge However, Gareth has passed Neil, and already made it to Evian. But he’s got 175km to go, Neil’s ‘only’ doing 75… #
10. #LakeGenevaChallenge Pedro, Jonas, Ian & Gareth just sped past on their bikes looking pretty red-faced – there’s a pretty stiff headwind. N #
11. #LakeGenevaChallenge News from the rowing finish line in Geneva: Toby’s there and it’s chucking it down – Neil’s rowing into a storm… G #
12. #LakeGenevaChallenge The bikes are in Thonon les Bains with a puncture. 1 hour 40 minutes of cycling and 45 KM down. Only about 130 to go… #
13. #LakeGenevaChallenge The cyclists are about to come back over the border into CH & “il pleut comme une vache qui pisse”. They’re very soggy. #
14. #LakeGenevaChallenge Lake’s choppy & boat wakes are nearly tipping Neil in, so 15 min rest. Happy to hear bikers are stuck in a rainstorm. N #
15. #LakeGenevaChallenge …and the Verbier Peleton has reached Geneva “wet through but smiling” according to Gareth… #
16. #LakeGenevaChallenge Stolen from Jonas’ Facebook update – Neil getting overtaken earlier…. http://twitpic.com/2gg4an #
17. #LakeGenevaChallenge Jonas has revealed they’ve stopped off for snacks at a petrol station.They don’t do that on the Tour de France do they? #
18. #LakeGenevaChallenge Wind’s whipped up waves & very difficult rowing. Calmer now. Neil’s passed halfway but he’s fighting the elements… N #
19. #LakeGenevaChallenge Puncture number 2. The Verbier Peleton is just outside Nyon. Spirits are “strong, plus the sun’s come out” says Gareth. #
20. #LakeGenevaChallenge Neil’s rest to wait for calm water has paid off and the lake is like a sheet of glass again. He’s raring to go… N #
21. #LakeGenevaChallenge Neil is powering past Yvoir (which is beautiful). It’s looking good: sun’s out, no wind. Like jam, he’s on a roll… N #
22. #LakeGenevaChallenge Neil’s about 50km in, with about 25 to go. As our nifty map shows. Enjoy… http://twitpic.com/2ghuhn #
23. #LakeGenevaChallenge Neil’s been rowing through hell in huge waves but perfect sunny conditions now. In fact, I’m going for a cheeky swim. N #
24. #LakeGenevaChallenge Verbier Peleton has finished in the last few minutes. Cracking effort & pictures to follow… G #
25. #LakeGenevaChallenge The boys collapse after their epic 175km trip… G http://twitpic.com/2gi6gb #
26. #LakeGenevaChallenge Neil is pushing through the pain barrier – hands are shredded, blisters on blisters. But taped up and still going… N #
27. #LakeGenevaChallenge Waiting in Geneva at the Hotel Kempinski for Neil’s triumphant return. Krug’s on ice & cigars are ready. Not long now.N #
28. #LakeGenevaChallenge Neil might still be on the water but the internet is already buzzing with news… G http://www.planetski.eu/news/1966 #
29. #LakeGenevaChallenge Have just spotted the big man approaching the finish. SO close. 11.5 hours in that boat – I’ve got a tear in my eye. N #
30. #LakeGenevaChallenge He’s done it – Neil has climbed his Everest. OK, he finished a while ago but we were so excited we forgot the tweet. N #
31. #LakeGenevaChallenge So to conclude: 75km in 12 hours(ish). Legendary. Impressed? Please donate at http://www.justgiving.com/Neil-Aherne #