ABERGAVENNY scientist Rob Low is shattered but satisfied he managed to cut the mustard and deliver the goods when competing in the world’s highest and toughest cyclosportive - the Haute Route.

Billed as the ‘Tour de France’ for amateurs, each year the Haute Route attracts over 1,500 amateur riders from all corners of the planet.

The race sees riders cycle seven days back-to-back on a course that covers a staggering 19,700 vertical metres of climbing between Geneva, Switzerland and the race finish in Venice, Italy.

The event comprises of three alpine crossings, the Haute Route Pyrenees (802km), the Haute Route Alps (855km) and the Haute Route Dolomites and Swiss Alps (906km).

Low has already tackled the Haute Route Alps and Pyrenees in previous years, and this year the Aber two-wheeler decided to really test his mettle and take on the rugged beauty of the Dolomites iconic mountain range.

Low lined up at the start alongside a diverse range of riders including cancer survivor James Golding, Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt and double amputee Christian Haettich. Individuals can enter to participate in a stage, or if they’re extremely daring, all three - the infamous triple crown.

The Haute Route allows riders to push themselves to their physical and mental limits and experience what it’s really like to ’ride like a pro.’

Low told the Chronicle that being conditioned by the Welsh climate definitely helped him persevere through the toughest part of the race.

“I think the toughest part overall was the Sixth stage, wet and cold, but I was going OK – we don’t mind that weather in Wales! For me the last col on the fifth day was bad – I don’t think I ate and drank enough and blew up on it! But the simple need to carry on helped me through.”

Reflecting on the magic of the Haute Route, Low explained, “Strangely, a moment which really stands out, was when people stood up to applaud the motorcyclists and the medical staff in the last briefing - they are really fantastic and it’s invaluable to know there are experienced people looking out for you when you are pushing towards your limits.”

And in case you’re thinking of pulling on the lycra, saddling up and going for gold on The Haute Route, Low has these words of warning for any keen pedal pushers, “It’s hard, there’s no two ways about it, and you need to do a lot of training. I think a keen cyclist who maybe rides on average for six to eight hours a week could complete it without a lot of extra training, but for someone starting with no cycling experience it’s a big challenge!”