The largest number of cyclists ever took part in the annual Fund Raiser Cycling Tour organised by the Emergency Fire and Rescue Unit.

The event saw 26 participants test their limits while cycling almost 300 km of undulating terrain and conditions, from Catania to Regalbuto and back again.

The first day of the tour was particularly challenging, the EFRU said in a statement, since the route around Mount Etna was hit with dense fog and heavy rain. This made it almost impossible for participants to cycle safely without assistance. 

During the thick of the storm, all the cyclists were grouped by the back-up team and slowly continued en-route in between the rescue vehicles for protection from oncoming traffic.

Two rescue vehicles and a rapid response team accompanied the cyclists during the two day trip last week to ensure sure the chosen roads were safe. 

A man was hospitalised after he lost his balance while cycling and was kept for almost 24 hours of tests and observations. The injured cyclist was dismissed from hospital and declared fit to travel on Sunday. EFRU volunteers who had accompanied him all along this journey stayed with him until he reached Malta.