Image source, Matt Roberts
- Author, Joe Lemer & Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
- Role, BBC News, Bristol
A self-defence and fitness coach has become the first person to complete the national five peaks challenge, whilst cycling between them.
Matt Roberts, from Bradley Stoke in Bristol, climbed the highest mountains in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales for charity.
He also cycled the 1,000 miles between them in a pair of pink pineapple swim shorts.
Mr Roberts said he feels like he has now “done his bit” for good causes after the journey “battered” him.
Image source, Matt Roberts
Image source, Matt Roberts
The challenge took him 12 days to complete with two additional days of travel.
But he said he had to face a whole host of obstacles along the way when his bike broke twice.
“The first time I almost got nailed off my bike by a driver in Belfast,” he said.
“It broke the derailleur on the bike. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere and took six hours to sort.
“We had to start again and lost most of the day and sleep deprivation started to kick in.
“That contributed to a difficult few days.
Image source, Matt Roberts
Image source, Matt Roberts
Mr Roberts said the second time, his support vehicle drove into a height restricted cark park whilst his bike was on top.
“It stripped the roof clean off and smashed the bike up,” he said.
“I cycled the last day with no rear brake, so if there had been an emergency I would have gone over the bike.”
So far he has raised more than £5,000 for charities WISH, MIND, Andy’s Man Club and LGBT Hero.
“It’s important that everyone is included, so were trying to push for more donations.
“I’ve donated to all four myself.
“It’s also cost me two weeks of work and I’ve battered myself, so I feel like I’ve done my bit now,” he added.