Yorkshire cyclists complete charity bike ride from Leeds to Nice
A team of cyclists have completed a gruelling 1,100-mile cycle ride from West Yorkshire to the south of France in aid of two charities. Martin Mansell and Andy North set off with a team of friends from Leeds Bradford Airport's runway on 17 June to raise money for Alzheimer's Society and Candlelighters and finished in Nice early on Tuesday morning.They were racing against Steve Dennis, who was heading to the same destination in an electric car, but taking a longer route via 21 countries. Mr Mansell said the cyclists arrived first, narrowly beating their target of completing the journey in under seven days.
The cyclists reached Dover in two days, then journeyed from Calais to Nice, crossing the French Alps' highest pass - the Col de la Bonette - at an altitude of 8,907ft (2,715m).
Talking about the final stretch, Mr Mansell, from Denby Dale, Kirklees, said: "We cycled all the way through the night over the Alps, it had been non-stop cycling. "That was the hardest stretch by miles, but everyone was so psyched up and ready for it."He continued: "It was the very last climb and the biggest - we set off at about 21:00 on Monday after we'd had something to eat and we climbed up to 9,000ft."It was pitch black, it was freezing, quite windy, but it was amazing."Mr Dennis described the EV journey as "exhausting" due to problems finding charging points at the right times along the route.The initial plan was to visit 20 countries in the EV, but the journey also passed through Monaco on the way to Nice.
Mr Dennis - who co-owns a travel agency with Mr Mansell - said at one point they only had 10% battery on the EV and had to divert by 50 miles to find a charger. He said: "We're definitely going to go out and celebrate that we made it, the stress levels that we've been through are ridiculous."Once they found one - at a garage in Macedonia - it was locked up and closed, but a kind staff member allowed his co-driver to charge after "feeling sorry" for them."That got us back to where we had to be, but if it wasn't for that woman we would have not got out of Macedonia, 100%."The challenge - called The Beast Unleashed - has raised more than £50,000 for charity so far.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
I always get mistaken for a child… people offer me kiddos colouring books – they're stunned when they find out my age
A WOMAN who gets ''mistaken for a child'' has left people with their jaws on the floor after revealing her actual age. Beauty buff Darcei, from the US, is currently exploring London with her family - however, the wholesome holiday has left her fuming. 2 The skincare and make-up guru claimed that in just three days, she was allegedly mistaken for a kid a whopping ''ten times''. One such instance, the pint-sized beauty shared in a now-viral video, took place at the airport lounge whilst the brood was waiting to board the plane. ''We meet a person who's on the same plane as us and she turns to me and asks 'Are you done with school already?','' Darcei was stunned. ''As we're getting on the plane, the flight attendant has those bags that you give to eight-year-olds. ''She offers me one of those bags and I said 'No, thank you' because I'm not eight years old.'' As another cabin crew member walks around with a tray of champagne glasses and water, Darcei was shocked that she was only offered the latter - and not the bubbly. However, the troubles only got worse after the jet-setters landed in Paris, France. Patiently waiting in the adults-only line where a machine would scan her passport, the holiday-goer was once again approached by staff who thought she was underage. ''One of the agents comes over and he's like 'Are you over 18?' ''I'm like 'Yes'. He asked me twice - just to make sure.'' I lost 6st with fat jabs but ended up with 'Ozempic face' – I got youthful look back with six make-up tricks In the video, Darcei, who is currently travelling with her cousins, also revealed her true age - which is 33. ''Is it the hair? It's the hair, isn't it?'' wondered Darcei who was rocking two cute French braids, a pair of denim shorts and a baggy light pink T-shirt. Why is turmeric good for anti-ageing? A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that turmeric and curcumin may help prevent DNA damage and aid in DNA repair. This is promising news for disease prevention and slowing the ageing process. It also: Boosts Collagen Production: Collagen is a protein that maintains the skin's elasticity and firmness. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Turmeric helps stimulate collagen synthesis, thereby promoting firmer and more youthful skin. Improves Skin Health: Turmeric has been shown to improve various skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the skin, reduce redness, and promote a clearer complexion. 'The face gives baby face' Since being shared online, the rant - posted under the username @ missdarcei - has taken the internet by storm, winning Darcei a staggering 2millin views in just one day. After learning her real age, more than 211k people gave the video a like, as a further 6.8k flooded to comments in total disbelief. One said: ''You could be 12 or 30. I have no idea.'' Another chimed in: ''It's the hair, the fit and the height I think.''
Auto Car
2 hours ago
- Auto Car
Peugeot E-Traveller review
The old Peugeot E-Traveller was a credible electric MPV that showed real signs of promise when it launched five years ago. At a time when you couldn't buy an electric seven-seater, it catered to what would likely have been a select group who wanted an eco-friendly people mover to carry plenty of passengers and their luggage, hassle-free. You'll probably have ridden in one from your hotel to the airport, you just didn't know it. And yet for all its space and practicality, the old E-Traveller was hamstrung by such a short range it was barely good enough for quick jaunts around town. Its 50kWh battery could only muster a range of up to 148 miles (closer to 120 miles in the real-world) hence its use case as a family hauler or airport shuttle was dented. Peugeot is hoping to address these limitations with the updated E-Traveller, which has been given a new battery, refreshed look and updated interior technology to help it keep pace with rivals like the Ford E-Tourneo Custom, and the technically related Vauxhall Vivaro Life and Citroën ë-Spacetourer. Moreover, Peugeot will also have its sights trained on electric seven-seat rivals like the Kia EV9 and Volkswagen ID Buzz, which have grown in number since the E-Traveller hit the road. So does this newfangled electric MPV have enough quality to persevere in the people-carrying segment, and or is it still tied back by its van-based origins? Verdict Good Cavernous interior is spacious and flexible Well-equipped with usable tech Undercuts many seven-seat alternatives on price Bad Real-world range is poor Struggles over potholes and imperfections; fuss and fidget at higher speeds Cheap-feeling interior means it doesn't wear its price well Pros Available in both short and long-wheelbase form Larger battery than before Cons Long-wheelbase is more than five metres long Not that different to the Vauxhall and Citroën siblings The E-Traveller has been given a light refresh over its blunt-nosed predecessor to bring it into line with the rest of the French marque's passenger car range. As such, the E-Traveller boasts plenty of Peugeot design hallmarks which have come to signify the brand, such as the new logo and LED three-claw light signature that adorns the front fascia of all current models. Of course, there's only so much fettling Peugeot can achieve with Stellantis's large passenger van, which is near-identical to those sold by Vauxhall, Citroën and Toyota. It looks better than the outgoing version, and while you'll struggle to spot many differences between it and its Stellanits counterparts, it's unassuming and simple. And while it looks identical to the Expert on which it is based, it does look a bit more swish thanks to its alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers – very posh. Modest styling tweaks aside, Peugeot has centred on bringing changes to the mechanical underpinnings of the E-Traveller, chiefly to the battery. Out goes the dated 50kWh unit and in its place sits a larger 75kWh lithium ion battery that promises a range of up to 217 miles, an increase of almost 70 miles over the previous-generation. Two trims are available: entry-level Active gets 17in alloys, a 10in touchscreen infotainment system and dual zone climate control. Range-topping Allure trim gets diamond cut 17in alloys, Peugeot's upgraded i-connect infotainment system with sat-nav, heated seats and a 180 degree camera. You can have the E-Traveller with five or eight seats, and in Standard or Long (for long-wheelbase) form. Pros Vast amounts of room for passengers and luggage Plenty of buttons and switches for secondary controls Cons Full of cheap, hard plastics Touchscreen could be crisper There really isn't anything that can come close to a van-based MPV when it comes to space and practicality. Our Long test car (eight-seat Standard also available) felt cavernous inside: even with three rows and eight seats there's a 989-litre boot. Lower the 60:40 split-folding third row and luggage capacity grows to a whopping 2400 litres. Remove both rows of rear seats and you have more than 4500 litres of load space to play with. Head room is good throughout, but leg room is a bit limited for adults in the very back, much like the seven-seat Kia EV9. The lofty driving position means you have a good view out, and there's a decent amount of adjustability in the seat. Hard, durable plastics are abundant, but for a big load lugging MPV it can be forgiven in this regard. Still, some more tactile materials on the dashboard wouldn't go amiss and would certainly help move the cabin away from its van roots. The new 10in touch-operated infotainment screen is easy to use on the move despite some latency issues. You can hop between different functions without fuss, but it could be quicker and graphically sharper. The dashboard itself is well conceived, with proper toggles and switches for the climate controls. You get plenty of cubby holes and charging ports for your phone, too. Pros Regenerative brakes are easy to control via the paddles on the steering wheel Cons Hamstrung by 2.2-tonne kerb weight and underpowered motor Brake pedal feels mushy Powering the front wheels is a 134bhp electric motor that also makes 192lb ft of torque, and while those figures would be suitable for most vans, in the big, heavy E-Traveller it's not very effective. You need only look at its 14.3sec 0-62mph time to realise that 134bhp isn't enough to haul its 2240kg kerb weight – even in sport mode it feels sluggish and slow. Building pace on a slip road takes time but it's fine on the motorway – just be wary that the range will plummet when doing 70mph plus. Speaking of which, the quoted range of 217 miles is more like 180 in the real-world, which does limit the E-Traveller's usability for families or airport shuttle fleets. The regenerative braking system is controlled using the paddles behind the steering wheel (like many Stellantis EVs) and it works pretty well overall. The highest trailing-throttle regen setting is a bit too forceful, hence we opted for the mid-rung setting when driving around town. Don't expect much feel from the brake pedal, which is a bit too long and soft for our liking. Pros Ride is settled around town Untroubled at motorway speeds, but expect more wind roar Cons Light steering offers little by the way of feel or feedback Unsettled at higher speeds with lack of control over lumps and bumps Noticeable thunk over potholes and imperfections Still here? In that case, you'll be pleased to learn that the E-Traveller is generally well-mannered to drive. At 5.3-metres long, it does feel more intimidating to thread through town than say, a Kia EV9, but its lofty seating position does give you a good view out. The steering is light and lacking in feedback, with lots of dead weight off-centre and there's little feel to it when pootling around town at slow speeds. It rides ok in urban settings, but on rural backgrounds it feels quite bouncy and unsettled, with the odd thunk over potholes and pronounced imperfections. Unladen and with only the driver on board, it feels underdamped, with lots of jostle and jounce when travelling at a reasonable pace on an unkempt road. Body roll abounds through corners, but that is to be expected of a long-wheelbase MPV with van-based foundations. On smoother roads at around 40mph it's settled, pliant and is generally easy to do miles in. It's untroubled at motorway speeds, too, just don't be surprised by an increase in wind noise as a result of the Peugeot's large frontal area. The E-Traveller's 100kW peak DC charging is a drawback, especially if you're reliant on the public network. 45 minutes for a 10-80% charge is less than ideal, and it can't match the sub-30 minute charging time of the ID Buzz, which can accept up to 185kW. That sort of slow charging speed might not be an issue for the panel van version, which will likely do short distances during the day and get charged at a depot overnight, but it is an issue for a family hauler. Then there's the elephant in the room: the price. Entry-level Active models start from £48,925, but our long-wheelbase Allure model came in at £54,440. Equipment levels are strong and you get acres of room inside, but the drive and range is no match for its SUV rivals. It undercuts the likes of the Kia EV9 (£65,035) and the quirky Volkswagen ID Buzz (£59,135) on price, but both can travel further on a charge, are equally capacious and far less austere inside. And what of the Peugeot E-5008? Surely, for private buyers at least, it makes more sense – it only costs around £400 more than the E-Traveller, but can be had with seven-seats, and it will do over 400 miles on a charge in big battery form. Verdict Good Cavernous interior is spacious and flexible Well-equipped with usable tech Undercuts many seven-seat alternatives on price Bad Real-world range is poor Struggles over potholes and imperfections; fuss and fidget at higher speeds Cheap-feeling interior means it doesn't wear its price well There will be a select few who will look upon the E-Traveller with interest and be taken by its vast cabin, versatile load-lugging capabilities and genuine ease of use. Indeed, its breezily spacious interior is the key selling point, and it still makes sense for businesses who need to clean-up their fleets with a zero-emissions vehicle. But has Peugeot addressed the issues with the E-Traveller's range? In short, not quite. It's fine for town jaunts, but beyond urban environments it becomes much less efficient and, fully loaded with passengers and luggage, you'll get even less mileage from its battery. For private buyers, we'd be inclined to look elsewhere. If you need minivan levels of room and practicality it makes a strong case for families of five or more, but SUV rivals are far easier to recommend. The Volkswagen ID Buzz and Kia EV9 might be dearer, the Kia particularly so, but they're greater range and general car-ness makes them a better buy than the Peugeot.
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Lyon thought they were too big to fail. Now they face a season in Ligue 2
Just five days ago, John Textor bounded down the corridors of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. 'Victoire, victoire,' he cried as his side, Botafogo, stunned PSG in the Club World Cup. French football's financial watchdog, the DNCG, brought him back down to earth on Tuesday as it confirmed Lyon's relegation to Ligue 2. 'Everything is good financially,' said Textor prior to the DNCG meeting. This is not the first time that the Lyon owner has gone into one of these meetings with a sense of confidence swiftly eroded by the commission's verdict. It was the same back in 2023 and in November last year. On the former occasion, the club were issued a transfer ban, forcing them to sell off key assets such as Bradley Barcola and Castello Lukeba, without being able to replace them. Textor was indignant, even confused. 'Welcome to football in France,' concluded the American in a lengthy communique lambasting the authorities' decision and their inability to 'understand' Eagle Football's multi-club model; a recurring theme in this ongoing drama. Textor was generous in his serving of blame. There was a bit for everyone, including former owner and president Jean-Michel Aulas. 'He hid bad news. I could have found a solution if I was aware. If I knew that we would have had these restrictions in the first transfer window, I would have asked to stop the transaction and restructure rather than giving half a billion dollars in cash to the sellers,' said Textor. Aulas hit back, even threatening a court case. 'I was never troubled by the DNCG. I never had any problem with them in 35 years as president,' he retorted. The Frenchman, almost as big as the institution of Lyon itself given their success under his tenure, has publicly stated that he did not wish to sell to Textor. He preferred another candidate but a deal could not be reached. Upon his arrival, Textor inherited a club in debt. Lyon had fallen out of the Champions League but their significant wage bill did not reflect their new standing, even less so when academy products Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso returned on 'free' transfers but with considerable salaries in 2022. But Textor has done little to correct Lyon's course. Assets have been stripped: OL Féminin, OL Reign and the LDLC Arena, which houses Lyon's basketball team, were all sold. There are fears that Lyon's academy, the lifeblood of the club's identity, could be next. 'If that happens, OL will lose a lot. It is the club's DNA,' warned Maxence Caqueret, a recent graduate who is now playing for Como. Yet those sacrifices have not sufficed in convincing the DNCG of the club's financial stability. The club's recent transfer dealings play a part. Almost €150m was spent last summer in a bid to return to the Champions League. The most eye-raising investment was in Moussa Niakhaté, who was signed from Nottingham Forest for €32m despite not being a guaranteed starter at the time. Orel Mangala also arrived for more than €20m and that opaque Nottingham Forest connection could have been extended by the arrivals of Danilo and Matt Turner this summer. The pair, who played just 17 games between them last season, were touted to arrive in a deal worth around €30m. Lessons are not being learned. In November, Lyon once again met with the DNCG. 'The meeting went well, I'm confident in our numbers,' said Textor, who felt he had got to grips with the particularities of French football administration. Yet once again, Lyon were stung, this time not merely with a transfer ban but with a provisional relegation to Ligue 2. In the months since, on-pitch success has been seen as the remedy for the club's off-field ills. 'The club's future has been uncertain since the start of the season; that is why, since the beginning, we set ourselves the target of qualifying for the Champions League,' said Niakhaté after a defeat to Monaco in May that put paid to those ambitions. They instead had to settle for the Europa League, again. Textor went for broke to achieve Champions League football – investing in playing staff and then in Paulo Fonseca after deciding that Pierre Sage could not lead them to the promised land. But those bets did not come in, the Champions League revenue would not usher through the club's coffers, and the deficit would not be plugged. Despite that, Textor arrived with confidence. The sale of his shares in Crystal Palace had given a boost, as had the sale of Rayan Cherki to Manchester City for a fee in excess of €40m. But the DNCG would not accept 'hypotheticals' and promises of future sales, nor could the club factor in any TV revenue, with Ligue 1 currently without a broadcaster for next season. That applied to all clubs. Initially blocked at the entrance to the DNCG's offices, Textor was finally let in and he left – once again – sounding confident. 'We feel very comfortable with the DNCG's processes. We enjoyed the hearing. Our liquidity situation has improved remarkably, but I've learned enough about the processes in France that I would never presume anything coming out of the hearing,' said Textor. He was right not to presume. The verdict fell and an earthquake was felt throughout French football as seven-time champions Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2. 'It is a terrible blow,' said Aulas. 'Sadness dominates and an immense inability to understand.' The club's main ultras group, the Bad Gones, have called on the owner to leave, with 'Textor out' banners appearing across the city. 'John has never been and never will be the man for the situation. The Botafogo supporter should now leave the Lyon landscape,' read a statement from the group. Much of the blame has fallen on Textor's shoulders and, while the financial crisis gripping French football can be used as a mitigating factor, it is worth noting that Lyon are the only Ligue 1 side to suffer this fate. Lyon branded the decision 'incomprehensible' and announced that they will appeal. French football's lower echelons are littered with clubs perceived as too big to fall - Bordeaux and Sochaux, both down in the National divisions are two of the most recent examples. Lyon's error was believing that such a fate would not – could not – befall them. 'I am one of those that wants to fight PSG but it is very difficult – you have to go step by step,' said Textor last week. Those first steps, if Lyon's appeal proves unsuccessful, will be taken in Ligue 2, by beating the likes of Nancy, Pau and Rodez next season. Ignorance, hubris and exceptionalism have driven a once great club to the precipice of the abyss. This is an article by Get French Football News
