London to Paris was just the beginning for iron man Grant

Grant, along with his friends Matt Hamilton and Chris Molloy, began their cycle challenge in Trafalgar Square, before cycling 98km to catch the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe.

Docking in Dieppe at 3.30am, they were back on their bikes and Paris-bound, arriving in the city at 1.30pm.

The journey totalled 284km and took 21 hours including the ferry journey.

Now, though, Grant’s focus has turned fully towards his next gruelling event – Challenge Weymouth.

“Apart from the fact we wanted to go to Paris for the weekend and thought the ride would be fun, I was using it as a bit of last minute practice for my first Iron distance triathlon,” said Grant.

“It involves a 2.4-mile swim and a 112-mile bike ride before a 26.2-mile run. Usefully the bike leg from Dieppe to Paris is pretty much bang on 112 miles so I was hoping to test my legs over the distance.

“I can’t say I ran a marathon – or even could have done – when we arrived in Paris, but the long ride filled me with confidence for my race.”

Despite his confidence, Grant is fully expecting to push himself to the limit at the event, which takes place on September 14.

He said: “An Ironman is said to be the hardest one-day endurance event on the planet, with strict cut-offs after each leg – meaning you have a maximum of 17 hours to complete the entire distance.

“All being well, I hope to complete in 12 hours but this might be a little optimistic for my first one.”