Eight friends take on the greatest challenge of their lives, to cycle 20 peaks of the Tour de France in seven days. Their adventure will take them beyond what any of them expected, through epic highs, dramatic lows, unforgettable scenery and the toughest days of cycling any of them have ever encountered. But will they make it to the finish line?

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About the Authors

Paul McIntosh

The founder of the Peaky Climbers, aged 50. Paul is married to Nicola, and they have two sons, Jai and Ethan. Paul was brought up in Elstree and moved to Wantage 20 years ago once he found the love of his life, Nicola. He has run his own business since 2009, which he started after a successful career in the corporate world. Paul has played football from an early age, and in later years started a Veterans team (Milton Utd) some 12 years ago.

Over the past few years Paul has played a bit of golf and completed the odd event to keep fit and raise funds for charity – London100, Great North Run and Great South Run. He wanted to do a challenge that would make people sit up and take notice, something that would make people say they’re mad and something that would make his mum proud if she were here – essentially they cycled the equivalent of 2.25 times the height of Everest in 1 week.

Anna Hughes

Anna Hughes is a lifelong cyclist and environmentalist. A passionate cycle tourer, in 2011 Anna cycled 4000 miles around the coast of Britain. The adventure inspired her to sail around the same coastline two years later. Since then she has completed many bicycle and boat tours around Europe and the UK, including riding from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in 2015.

Her first book, Eat, Sleep, Cycle: a bike ride around the coast of Britain, was published in March 2015 by Summersdale. Her second book, Pedal Power: inspirational stories from the world of cycling, was published in April 2017. An experienced speaker, Anna gives regular talks to adults and children about her various adventures, and also writes articles for magazines and websites.

A lover of the outdoors and attracted by the freedom of boat life, Anna has lived on a narrowboat for the past four years, mostly in London and more recently on the Kennet and Avon canal in Bath. She is currently a GetOutside champion for Ordnance Survey, inspiring others to enjoy the great outdoors for all the benefits that brings. A qualified teacher, cycling instructor and mechanic, she works freelance, currently in the Bristol area.