Handsling rider gears up for six-day epic taking in brutal TdF climbs

Handsling riders are no strangers to incredible feats of bike riding. From the mighty Transcontinental to 24hr time trials to huge coasts to coasts, they have put their bodies and bikes to the test.

A1R0evoS owner Tim Underwood will soon join that list when he embarks on the Avignon to Annecy Challenge. The six-day charity ride features some of the world's most iconic and unforgiving climbs that have broken even experienced pro cyclists.

Tim will endure long mountain days with sustained climbs, heat, altitude and cumulative fatigue. We caught up with him ahead of the September 6 start date.

Head to the following link to support the University of Southampton Cancer Immunology Fund: https://www.justgiving.com/page/avignon-to-annecy

This is a serious cycling challenge that would test any rider - how did you get involved? 

I’m an oesophageal cancer surgeon and lead a research programme at the University of Southampton trying to improve outcomes from this disease. The ride grew out of our relationship with Nicola Packer, one of my former patients, and her family, who have become extraordinary supporters of our research. Nicola and her husband Jeremy organised a 300-mile fundraising ride in 2024, and this feels like the next adventure. Nicola is coming with us as part of the support team, which makes it particularly special. Ultimately, we’re doing something we love while raising money for research that matters enormously to us.

Who's taking part and what's in store for the legs? 

It’s essentially a group of friends and colleagues, including several surgeons and other doctors, with a fantastic support crew including Nicola, our Upper GI Clinical Nurse Specialist Donna Sharland, and my wife Sophie, who is an Emergency Medicine Consultant. We start in Avignon and finish six days later in Annecy, covering over 600 km and around 14,000 metres of climbing. Along the way we take in Ventoux, Izoard, Sarenne, Glandon and Madeleine – some of the great climbs of the Tour de France.

How have you been preparing the body for what's about to happen?

I’ve been training fairly specifically for it: lots of endurance riding, long steady work around the first lactate threshold, harder VO2 and threshold sessions, and lower-cadence climbing work. The biggest challenge isn’t really riding one big Alpine day; it’s getting up and doing it again for six consecutive days. So I’ve concentrated on durability, recovery and getting the fuelling right. I’m aiming to arrive fit enough that I can enjoy the mountains rather than simply survive them.

How does this rank in terms of the cycling challenges you have completed before?

I’ve done some fairly big cycling challenges. I completed the Cinglés du Mont Ventoux in 2017 – climbing Ventoux three times in one day from Bédoin, Malaucène and Sault – and London to Paris in 24 hours this summer. This is different again. I know exactly how hard Ventoux can be, but this time it’s only day one. The real challenge is getting through around 14,000 metres of climbing over six consecutive days and still having something left for the Madeleine near the end.

What aspects of the challenge are you looking forward to... and not relishing particularly much?

I love riding in the mountains and I’m looking forward to returning to Ventoux, as well as riding climbs such as Izoard, Glandon and Madeleine with friends. Having done Ventoux three times in a day before, I have considerable respect for it! My main concern is cumulative fatigue rather than any single climb. The key will be pacing the first few days properly, particularly Ventoux on day one, and dealing with the heat if Provence and the Alps are hot.

Why is your A1R0evoS the right bike for this event?

I wanted one bike that felt genuinely fast but that I could also happily ride for six or seven hours in the mountains. The A1R0evoS gives me that combination. Mine has Ultegra Di2, 52/36t with an 11–34t cassette, Parcours Strade wheels and 30mm tubeless Pirellis, so it climbs well, descend confidently and is quick on the valley roads. Most importantly, the fit is excellent and I’m comfortable on it. Over six consecutive days, that probably matters more than saving another few grams.