Because of some pressing family matters I'm pausing the blog for a little while.

Normal service will be resumed shortly.

Anyone who uses Google Earth should be able to see our Death Valley route in its entirety by downloading this file, plotted from data collected en route on the Garmin Forerunner 301 -- an essential piece of kit for the runner or cyclist if ever there was one.

From Lone Pine, up, up and across the punishing heights of Towne Pass, then down into the shimmering salt flats of Badwater Basin and on to Death Valley Junction; Team MAG has succeeded in its quest to cycle 200 miles across one of the most extreme yet breathtaking environments on the planet.



Each of the four legs of the Death Valley Challenge was marked by numerous tests of physical and mental endurance. On day one it was the sheer scale of the task that lay ahead of us. On day two it was the seemingly endless climb into the mountains that made our legs burn and our lungs beg for oxygen.


Day three saw a 50 mile grind across the hottest part of Death Valley – the parched valley floor leading down to Badwater which, at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest point in the United States. It felt at times like cycling in an oven. The salty air and blazing sun sapped every drop of moisture from the team members and the threat of dehydration was ever present. Day four held two final obstacles – twin meandering climbs on a pitted road to the Jubilee and Salsberry Passes – before a triumphant sprint to the finish line at Death Valley Junction.


After four days and more than 24 hours in the saddle, myself, Craig Summers, Sam Burgess, Matt Willson, David Horrocks and Brian Pritt were finally able to say that we’d taken on Death Valley -- and won!

Most remarkable of all was that in all that time we encountered just one puncture and a few minor mechanical problems – which were certainly easier to repair than our aching limbs will be!

Death Valley must be aptly named because Audioblogger died a death midway through the ride -- hence no updates from along the route.

The most important thing, though, is that we made it -- all 200 scorching miles.

We're heading back to London, from where a full report and pictures will follow.

We're here, the RV is loaded up -- and we're heading for Death Valley!