Our first ever Bristol2Beijing challenge got off to a cracking start with more than one hundred people participating across the globe! Held between July 17-18th, people in the UK, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, France and even Iraq got their trainers, helmets or goggles on and set out to complete their very own challenge. We were astonished by the range and creativity involved in the events which, amongst other things, featured gliders, bassoons and tutus. The weekend encompassed much of what is central to Luke’s expedition: living life to the full and facing challenges with a smile. 

A very big congratulations to everyone that took part. We have pulled together some of our highlights from the Bristol2Beijing Half-Way Challenge:

Most Fabulous Footwear: "Birkenstocks to Boots," led by Susan in the Peak District included four people and impressive alliteration all day - from breakfast to beers and bottles, with bikes, balancing on boulders, a few breaks (once with bilberry pie), and even an encounter with people from Beijing along the way!

The Relentless Rider: "A Pocketful of Bees" saw Clive complete almost 170 km on the bike, through the idyllic rural landscape of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. As far as we know, no one got stung. Check out Clive’s ride on Strava.

Most Inspiring: "Barnes to HMS Belfast" was a 26 mile round-trip cycle by Luke's 87-year-old grandfather, passing through various B-spots in London, including Bermondsey, Borough, and Blackfriars.

Highest Latitude: "Butterfly World to Belhaven Cycle," led by Jane, included a cycle ride across Edinburgh, Scotland, our northernmost B2B challenge event!

Furthest Afield: "Bedouin Tent to the Bazaar," was a creative and culturally fitting take on B2B by Elinor, based out in Iraq.

Most Wholesome: "Bristol to Bath," led by Jenny, included 16 cyclists on a lovely day for a 25 kms cycle across the countryside, picking up part of the crew at the halfway point in Bitton. An impromptu bathe in the River Avon on the group's return, recalls Jenny, was "pure bliss"!

Best Beaches: "Burriana to Benicassim Beach," led by Kira, included a 37km cycle along Spain's Orange Blossom Coast. Highlights included a blue wig over one rider's helmet and a 4-year old rider who so enjoyed the smooth beachy ride that he fell asleep on the back of the bicycle! Everyone arrived safely.

Most Monumental: "Books to Bassoons," led by Jeremy, included 17 adults and 7 children on a 3-mile walk across the National Mall in Washington, DC, past its iconic monuments, and where 5-year-old Patrick impressed his parents by walking the entire route by himself! As a bonus, two friends traveling from Bogotá also joined!

Steepest Climb: "Bistrot to Brevent" proved the power of coffee, with Mandy ascending Brevent Mountain in the French Alps, alongside two other enthusiastic hikers.

Culture Vulture: "St. Bene’t's to Byrtnoth" was a scholarly and poetic tour through a corner of Christianity and Anglo-Saxon history in Britain. Jane’s blog gives us all a chance to read up on her adventures! 

Most Circuitous: "Betchworth and Boxhill" gave Jane Austen a run for her money, with Boxhill being enjoyed not once but twice, by three spritely cyclists and two hikers, making the most of Surrey’s finest scenes.

Most Cinematic: "Bottesford to Bridge at Littleport by Bedfordshire" was an inventive flight path by Julia in the skies above Leicestershire in the UK, setting turning points for her glider in honour of the B2B challenge.

Most Caffeinated: "Botanic Gardens to Bowler Coffee" included Luke and Kate's two events during the B2B Challenge weekend, one with 14 runners and the other with 30 cyclists, many of whom had never before ridden a tandem and a few of whom had never cycled at all! Both the run and cycle finished at coffee shops, plus Luke and Kate, of course, also had a coffee before the start.

And there were more! We don’t have descriptions or pictures for all the participants, but these were some of the other splendid joiners:

• Bossiney to Boscastle (Mikey in Cornwall, UK)

• Baker Street to Bermondsey (Pippa in London, UK)

• Blackwell to Barnt Green (Tom in Worcestershire, UK)

• Brickfields to Bangsar (Tee in Malaysia)

• Bournemouth to Branksome Chine (Sarah in Dorset, UK)

• Bournazel to La Bouriette (Jane in France)

• BikeShed to BathingSpot (Alison in the UK)

• Barnes to Bristol (Jamie in the UK)

• Brancaster, via Burnham Westgate, Burnham Market, Burnham Overy Town, Burnham Overy Staithe, Burnham Norton, Burnham Deepdale, Brancaster Staithe, back to Brancaster. (Amanda in the UK)

• Bourton-on-the-Water to Bacon Butties (the Bourton Road Runners ‘Wednesday’ crew)

• Bourton to Broadway (Matt in Gloucestershire, UK)

A BIG thank you to all those who joined in the spirit of the Bristol2Beijing expedition during the B2B Halfway Challenge, and the very generous donations given. Thank you to the organizers for helping get others outside and active.

Looking forward to the next one!