Thatcham man in Transcontinental cycle race caught in Slovenia’s worst ever floods

A Thatcham man cycling in the Transcontinental Race No.9 has shared his grueling story of landslides, floods and town evacuations.

Lionel Bobb entered the 14-day race as a solo rider to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.

He started in Geraardsbergen, Belgium at 10pm on July 23 with the aim of making his way through Italy, Solvenia, Albania and finally Greece – in a four-checkpoint challenge.

His longest ride was 17 hours – from the starting point with others stretching to 14–16 hours daily – covering about 250km with climbs over mountain passes.

He made a number of mountain passes from Splügen, Passo del Bernina and Pass Gotthard in Switzerland, to Livigno and Passo Foscaono in Italy.

But as he entered the mountains in Slovenia things began to change.

“There was a landslide in Kranj behind me,” he said.

“There was another ahead of me at Solcava, Slovenia and beyond.

“My destination at Celje was reported to be underwater with bridges washed away.”

Mr Bobb spent two days in the mountains at a farm called Majdac and was given dry clothes and food.

During this time, he had no mobile phone signal or WiFi and was told to stay put by the fire brigade.

The fire brigade then evacuated him, other tourists and locals from the affected area.

So far he has raised £1,084 for Breast Cancer Now – in memory of his late sister, who died from the disease.

Over the years he has raised even more – through five separate challenges – totalling £7,708.27 for the cancer charity.

His sister Leonora grew up with their other sister and five brothers in London.

Leonora struggled with anorexia before being diagnosed with breast cancer – which she had for seven years.

“She was never very well,” her brother said.

“She found the lump and she didn’t want it treated.

“She was a fun person and she was the first person to go to university.

“Her life was not really fulfilled because she never really got going.

“Then one day she just passed away.”

Mr Bobb is still raising money and his Just Giving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/page/tcr9lionel

He added: “I wanted to do something in her name and take myself out of my comfort zone.

“And this is one of the most gruelling bike races in the world.”