An amateur cyclist has completed a 650-mile European journey to Wallingford’s two twin towns– despite having to replace his bike when the gears snapped off.
Liam O'Brien, 38, cycled across four different countries in one week as he reached Luxeuil-les-Bains in France and Bad-Wurzach in Germany.
At both towns, he was met by delegations with whom he exchanged gifts – although he could not take back everything when he flew home on Saturday.
READ MORE: 'Keen but amateur' cyclist sets off on 650-mile European journey
“I’m not massively achy but I’m tired,” he said. “It’s just relief about having completed it.”
Mr O'Brien set off from Wallingford on March 25 with his clothes and provisions packed on his back. He first cycled to Newhaven to catch the ferry across the English Channel.
Over the next four days, he cycled more than 300 miles across France.
He repaired around 10 punctures throughout his journey, but even he could not fix the damage his bike sustained during a hill climb on Tuesday.
Mr O'Brien said: “On a climb I managed to snap the gearing system off the bike entirely. Some crap got in the gears and just when I went up the hill I put weight on it and the whole thing snapped off.”
He had to walk two to three hours up the hill to the nearest town where he bought a replacement bike.
“It wasn’t ideal, especially because the town with the bike shop was a historical hill fort,” he said. “It was visually lovely but not what I wanted to be walking up.”
Despite his difficulties, Mr O’Brien reached Luxeuil-les-Bains on Wednesday evening.
When he arrived, he found the signs to the commune did not mention Wallingford. However, there was a small tribute in the centre which referenced the twinning relationship.
The following morning, he was met by the deputy Mayor and head of twinning association – who were both on their bikes as well.
Mr O’Brienthen presented his gifts, which included a letter written by Wallingford Mayor Marcus Harris and a bottle of Rowse Honey manufactured in the town.
In return, he was given a set of pens. He was happy to receive the gift, although admitted he was “hoping to lighten the load a little bit” before he set off later that day.
The rest of his journey took him through Switzerland, including a stop off to visit his mum in Zurich for a hot chocolate, before he arrived in Bad-Wurzach in Germany on Saturday.
Mr O’Brien said: “I was met there by a whole delegation of people. There was a local reporter, deputy Mayor, and a lady from the school who runs the Wallingford school exchange programme.”
He couldn’t take home all the items he was given – a bag of lapels, towels and chocolate - but the teacher promised she would bring it when she visited Wallingford with pupils in July.
Mr O’Brien raised nearly £650 through a JustGiving page for community station Wallingford Radio which he helped set up last year.
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