WHILE the Tour de France is over for another year, a Denbighshire mum and son are making great progress during their major two-wheeled challenge.
In their very own Tour de France, Llandyrnog mum and son Libby Glazebrook and Arran White are in the Alps with their bikes and camping kit to take on a major fundraising journey, called Seize the Fish.
Arran is raising money for Dementia UK, while Cancer Research UK is benefiting from Libby's energetic efforts.
They are currently cycling the Route Des Grandes Alpes to Nice.
This epic route covers 16 alpine passes over its 700km with a mammoth 18,000m of uphill.
They are making great progress and are about halfway through the Alpine venture.
The duo have scaled the iconic cols such as the Iseran (a 50km ride of over 2,000m uphill) and the Galibier (another 2,000m climb but much steeper at 35km).
They have also tackled the Izoard, which Libby said was absolutely stunning although the descent was tricky with a strong head / cross wind.
She added: "We nearly melted in the 36C heat riding up the Col de la Colombiere - a climb that just got steeper and steeper as we neared the summit."
READ: Llandyrnog mum and son prepare for epic Alpine challenge
Due to the heat in the region, they have been setting off by 7.30am each day.
This means getting up at 6am to pack up the tent and eat breakfast.
Libby said that Arran has been "a legend".
"He just keeps going and has been overtaking cyclists who just have their water bottles to carry," she said.
"I couldn’t be more proud of him."
On the reason for taking on the major challenge, Libby said before they headed out: "Well my lovely mum passed away this year, good friends have been very unwell, I am not getting any younger and Arran will, in a few years, be leaving the nest.
"Time for a bit of Carpe Diem. Hence the name 'seize_ the_fish'.
"We thought that others could benefit from our cycling suffering so we are raising money for two charities that support illnesses that have affected people we love.
"Arran is raising money for Dementia UK and for me it's Cancer Research UK.
"Just Giving doesn’t allow money to be split between two charities whilst also receiving Gift Aid so I have created two fundraising pages and linked them.
"You can choose which to donate to, I would have split the money 50/50.
"I realise money is tight right now but if you can sponsor us that would be really appreciated – and it will motivate us to keep grinding those pedals up the 10 per cent gradients on some of the climbs."
They have now raised well over £1,000.
People can sponsor them at https://www.justgiving.com/team/seizethefish
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