A pain in the 'ass' after six hours in the saddle for Vincenzo Iannidinardi

Vincenzo Iannidinardi and Steve Tavernese on their bikes

Six hours in the saddle left Vincenzo Iannidinardi, who completed a marathon indoor cycling session on Sunday 2 March, with a sore bum and aching limbs. 

This six hour session at Fitness for Life Gym, Rochdale is his latest training milestone in a programme of preparation for a big event in London in August.

Vincenzo will be riding the 100 mile London Surrey event in the summer to raise money for the children’s charity WellChild.

His London bike ride will see him tackle the gruelling Boxhill Olympic climb and will see him finish on the Mall.

He said: “I couldn’t get to the end of the street when I took up cycling but Steve Pollitt who works at Fitness for Life has helped me get in shape for the event.

“They do three spinning classes a week as well as circuit, toning, boot camp and personal training. When the weather has been bad there is always a class or programme to keep up fitness levels and the gym has welcomed turbo trainers into the fitness studio for bike riders.”

The six hour session on Sunday was sponsored and while Vincenzo pedalled his road bike on a trainer, gym members joined in for an hour at a time on indoor spinning bikes.

Vincenzo added: “At the end of the six hours I was aching, had a sore bum and was mentally drained but I knew that I would have to do at least that amount of work in London.

“The support from gym members and instructors has been brilliant. It’s a real boost when they turn up and get involved; they deserve a big thank you, especially Steve and Paula.”

Vincenzo’s efforts are in aid of WellChild, the national charity for sick children. They provide essential, practical and emotional support for seriously ill children, young people and those that care for them across the UK to ensure that they receive the best possible quality of care.