Thatcham cyclist completes gruelling challenge

Ellie Solomides set off on The Transcontinental Race, an unsupported adventure bicycle race from London to Istanbul, on August 9; having received an email two weeks before the event to say that a space was available.
The 25-year-old faced hours of solitude on her 3,488km (2,167 mile) ride as the cyclists travel autonomously and are not bound to a fixed route.
But Miss Solomides is no stranger to long cycling excursions and challenges, having cycled around Hawaii and Thailand and participated in triathlons and other races.
She said: “It was a really good experience that tests you as it’s quite mentally tiring and I think cycling is a really good way to see somewhere.”
The former Downe House schoolgirl recalled sleeping under a bridge in the Swiss Alps until a train travelling on the old bridge prompted her to move on and that her maps had been soaked through after the first three days.
Facing gruelling routes on an average 7am until 2am days worth of cycling, Miss Solomides said that she nearly gave up when she reached the Stelvio Pass in Italy but encouragement from friends and family pushed her on.
She said: “It took me a long time to get to the top. I hadn’t researched it at all and I’d lightened the bike with no extra food or water. I thought I was going to quit but the thought of going back down in the cold and rain was offputting.”
Miss Solomides took time out of her race when she came to the aid of another cyclist who had been taken to hospital after being hit by a car in Verona.
She said: “I stayed with him for a couple of hours. It brings it back that you are responsible for yourself. There’s no one coming to rush and help you.”
Miss Solomides officially completed the race after 19 days, having to retravel part of the route because she caught a taxi to Istanbul after Turkish police said that it was not safe for a woman to be travelling by herself after dark.
Despite wild dogs, sleeping under a bridge and punctures; Miss Solomides said that she planned to take part in next year’s race and carry on to New Zealand.
She said: “My mum’s nerves can’t handle it any more but my parents are really supportive and local bike stores have been great with gear and advice.”