Cyclists from across campus felt the burn on Wednesday, as they took part in an all-day charity ‘Bikeathon’.

Perched on cycling machines in the Terrace bar, pairs of cyclists took shifts at pedaling from 10am to 6pm.

The event was part of RAG Week, the seven-day-long extravaganza of fundraising organised by Leeds Raise And Give (RAG) Society.

The cyclists taking part came from a coalition of tour teams at the University, including ‘Tour to France’, ‘Bike to Berlin’, and ‘Coast to Coast’.

Spectators sponsored the avid peddlers throughout the day, with money going towards the tour teams’ chosen charities, and RAG’s community fund.

According to Bikeathon supervisor Nick Watts, the group cycled the road equivalent of over 200 miles, in the space of eight hours. Speaking after the event, second-year Biochemist and cyclist Camilla Varney said: “It was really hard work, but it was good because everyone did stints of thirty minutes. There was a really great atmosphere.”

Those wanting to test their mettle (and their calves) in aid of charity, can still sign up for the annual ‘Tour to France’, an epic, six-day journey from Leeds to Paris. The tour begins on March 18, those wishing to register can do so from the Leeds RAG website.

Words: Max Bruges