The Lake Geneva Challenge as it happened….

August 20, 2010 | By tom18a

Today saw the realisation of an epic challenge – two modes of transport competing to see who can exhaust themselves first.|

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 #