Hopley has mountain to climb in aid of his fellow rugby players

1993 World Cup Sevens winner Hopley, who is on track to raise over £10,000 for The PRA Benevolent Fund and Bliss, has spent the last 16 weeks training for his mountain odyssey - no mean feat for a man who was forced to retire from the game in 1997 following seven knee operations. Indeed, it was his discovery of the lack of support for players retiring through injury which prompted Hopley to set up the PRA that year, and the Benevolent Fund five years later, providing employment protection, education opportunities and welfare support for rugby players throughout the Guinness Premiership.

Hopley's training has included many circuits of Richmond Park, a couple of sessions in an hypoxic chamber and the acquisition of much well-padded lycra in readiness for the challenge.

Said Hopley: "I have never done anything endurance related like this before, so was keen to put myself through this. However, after our first team briefing in June of this year I was terrified about the eight day cycle marathon! Even battle hardened tri-athlete friends of mine have looked at me sideways when they heard about the adventure.

"The reality is the training has been tough, but fairly addictive. I think I've developed bike OCD! Given that we're going to be spending eight hours in the saddle for eight days back-to-back, the preparation has been rigorous, with much needed support from my masseur, physio and osteopath in an attempt to get my body into some sort of shape for what promises to be a brutal trip. Our target is just to complete the journey, even if it takes us twelve hours a day to get up the mountains."

The coast to coast route waiting for Hopley and Co runs from Biarritz to Banyuls (near Perpignan) and will see them climbing some 18 cols, including the infamous Col de Tourmalet - a challenge that makes even the best Tour de France riders look like mere mortals.

As well as a punishing training schedule, the 30-strong group have also supported several fundraising activities throughout the last six months with a view to raising over £250,000 in total for their respective charities.

Damian will be keeping a personal blog during his ride, allowing you to keep up with his daily travails as they unravel! Damian's blog will be updated each morning on the PRA website, www.prarugby.com.

To donate to Damian's Pyrenees Cycle Challenge in support of the PRA Benevolent Fund and Bliss, please visit www.justgiving.com/dhopley