When the Pembrokeshire to Paris cyclists rode up the Champs Elysees at the end of their 580-mile epic cycle ride to raise funds for local charities it was entirely appropriate that Alan Bain should lead them in because he was at least 20 years older than any of the other riders and at 75 years of age had shown amazing resilience throughout the six days.
 
Small wonder that although he hails from Lancashire many years ago, he let out a whoop of 'Uggy, uggy, uggy, hoy, hoy. hoy!" that had the large crowd under the Eiffel Tower looking up to welcome them in true Parisian style.

Real bonus – and a new bike for the occasion

 
And a real bonus from Alan's point of view was the fact that amongst those in attendance as a total surprise were his wife Jean and daughter Heather, who had travelled across by train from her home in Belgium. Making it a happy trio was Janet Morgan, whose husband Kim was also on the ride.
"When I spotted Jean in the large crowd it was the perfect end to an amazing day," admitted Alan, "and we were almost like film stars as people in the crowd were asking to have 'selfies' with us!"
 
Amazingly, Alan was previously what he would describe as a 'coffee cyclist', that is someone who enjoyed going out for a spin on his bike but had to stop at some stage for a cappuccino and a chat.
 
He started out in his home town of St Helens, in Lancashire, on an ordinary bike as a nipper, and still didn't have a racing bike 12 months ago but then a chance conversation about the Paris venture with former rugby player Graham Williams at a presentation for Paul Sartori set him thinking.
 

Opted in to an exciting event – with wonderful support

 
"After discussions with Jean I decided to opt in, but only after I agreed to her insistence that I should have a thorough medical check by my doctor first - and I acquired a second-hand 'Giant Defy' bike with 20 gears, and used every one of them on the ride!
 
"As well as support from Jean and Heather I had great help in terms of sponsorship from son Ian and his wife Lynne, plus grandchildren James, William and Joris - and the financial support provided from friends that went far beyond the norm."
 
In terms of other sports, Alan played as a wicketkeeper in St Helens when he was a youngster, following his father and brother, and was a loose forward in local school's rugby league he was mentored by some Welsh players who had made the journey north.
 

Earlier challenges met

 
When the Bain family came to Pembrokeshire, Alan and Jean completed the entire Pembrokeshire Coast Path, all 186 miles, and then Alan walked up the Annapurna Foothills in Nepal to raise funds for Paul Sartori with more than 30 other Pembrokians.
 
"Sadly, Jean was unable to accompany me because she had a replacement knee and it was hard going, with rough terrain as we slept under canvas and there was some unkind weather - and again we raised a good sum for our favourite charity.
"From there I walked up Snowdon with our friend June Harries, whose late husband Phil was sadly too ill and so joined Jean in supporting us in other ways - in another fund-raiser that was given wonderful support by our family and friends.
 

Lots of practice – and agony too!

 
"And then came our big challenge and we had six months of hard training, which took in all the hills around Pembrokeshire, which was just as well because during our 580 miles we climbed almost 29,000 feet, more that the height of Mount Everest - and it was clear from the outset that we really needed all that practice three times a week.
 
"The first day we completed 110 miles before we stopped at Cardiff East and it was really tough going - and started a process where I might have been called 'saddle sore Cecil' because every day was agony getting back on the bike.  I certainly used more than my share of baby cream on my nether regions!"
 
On every night's stop they even took their bikes into their bedrooms, even when they had the treat of bed and breakfast at the Royal Tunbridge Wells Hotel before crossing the Channel Tunnel to France.
 

Well looked after indeed

 
"As the oldest I regularly took 'stick' from the rest but they looked after me in bad weather as Graham Williams acted as the unofficial marshall, and we had brilliant help from Mark and Kath Rendell from Mike's Bikes and then the back-up crew in which Lisa Williams and Angela Edwards drove the support van, with Graham's paramedic colleague Steve also on hand if needed.
 
"Angela's husband Mark, another great supporter, was so inspired by what was going on that he got on board the spare bike and completed the last 260 miles into the Eiffel Tower!
 

Big surprise

 
"As we approached Paris we split into two groups for safety reasons because the road was so busy: the speed merchants like Graham Williams, Colin Picton, Tim Hughes, Toby Ellis and Kevin Jones riding on and waiting for us older folk to ride in together.
 
"I was surprised and honoured when they said I had to lead the group on the run in and I have to admit there were a few tears when I saw Jean and Heather."
 

Not finished yet

 
So what of the future for our 75 year old Mr Bain? He is part of a new cycling club called the Haverfordwest Hornets which holds its meetings at Eddie's Club in Quay Street and one of their aims is to get people out on their bikes, just for the enjoyment of being involved.
 
"Jean and I are also thinking of getting our bikes out to join a group of 35+ others on a run from Vietnam to Cambodia, a distance of 480 kilometres. Most of them were on the Nepal trip and there is sure to be a great camaraderie, similar to the Pembroke to Paris crowd.
 
"What we have to watch is not asking the same people every time to sponsor us for the Paul Sartori Foundation, but we have been very lucky to have such supportive family and friends."
 
What Alan Bain modestly doesn't mention is the fact that he has been able to perform such tasks at 75 years of age and it is fascinating to talk to a real gentleman of sport - and long may he remain so active!