Andes bike challenge for Bull

Chief reporter on the Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard , Paul Bull, will find himself hurtling through the Andes on his mountain bike for 1,000kmas part of the Inca Challenge race.

The 32-year-old journalist is raising money for Cirencester Hospital Scanner Appeal and Cancer Research.

In his team of four, Bull will begin at the summit of a 6,000m volcano-Cerro Ulturunco-in the Bolivian Andes. He will travel through a semi-desert and a dried salt lake, before crossing into Chile for a final downhill stint across the Atacama Desert to the Pacific coast.

Bull has already begun intensive training for the gruelling three-week challenge, due to take place in September next year.

He told Press Gazette : “Working on the Standard we are always reporting on people raising money and doing charity work and I think it’s nice to get involved and do it ourselves.”

Bull plays football once or twice a week, but hasn’t ridden a bike since he was a teenager.

Anyone interested in joining the race or sponsoring Paul can call him at the Standard on 01285 642642 or e-mail paul@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk.

He would consider naming the team after a particular company or individual if the package is right.