Dorset man's Mexico challenge raises money for Hope for Heroes
A DORSET man has completed a gruelling cycle ride across Mexico to raise money for Help for Heroes.
Paddy Selfe spent eight days riding from the east coast, over the Sierra Madre mountains and on to the Pacific Ocean on the west of Mexico.
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Paddy, second from left, near La Cumbre, the summit of the trip
The 620km route put the group of 26 cyclists through tough terrain and extremes of temperature.
Paddy, 23, said: “It was fantastic.
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“The heat and the altitude were harder than any of us expected but it was a really good experience.
“I was quite fit before I went and I was fine but it was hard.
“I’ve reached my target of raising £5,000 for Help for Heroes and I’m pleased about that.”
The former Sherborne School student decided to raise money for the charity after working at its head office and meeting wounded soldiers who have been helped by its work.
Paddy, of Chaldon Herring, is from a military family and starts his Army career at Sandhurst in 2013.
After the first two days of the coast to coast trip Paddy hit the most gruelling section with 57kms taking in a climb to the 3,000 metre summit and temperatures ranging from 30 degrees down to five.
He said: “The route was steep, twisting and relentless, from dense tropical forest up into the colder cloud forest and finally out onto bare mountain slopes.”
He added: “The temperature continued to drop as we climbed and changing gear became more difficult as hands got colder.”
At the summit the group was met by support crew who served hot chocolate to the cyclists.
Day four brought a descent through pine forests and sunburn as the temperature soared to 38 degrees.
The next two days saw hot weather and level roads before day seven brought another hard climb before reaching the final campsite.
Day eight was a final 45kms to a beautiful beach and a dive into the Pacific Ocean.
Paddy said: “I’d like to thank Help for Heroes and Discover Adventure for organising such an incredible trip.”
Details of future challenges are on the www.helpforheroes.org.uk website.
Donations can be made through his www.bmycharity.com/paddyselfe page.
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