HE climbed the equivalent of five Everests, rode nearly 3,500km and raised nearly £4,000 for charity, but Jeremy Redford didn’t find the Tour de France as tough as he expected.

Jeremy, from Watchfield, has been back at work as an executive officer in the Defence Academy at Shrivenham for just over a week, but would ride the race again tomorrow if you asked.

Across the 21 stages between June 27 and July 19, he rode 3,427km in 134 hours’ saddle time, ascended 47,319 metres (five times Everest) and avoided any punctures.

“I didn’t find it as tough as I thought I might. I took it all in my stride, to be honest,” said the 42-year-old.

“I felt in remarkably good shape. It all went well, to be honest. I haven’t got any dramatic stories.”

Jeremy spent £3,000 to ride the official route one week before the professionals with the support of Tour De Force, an organisation which provides accommodation, food, transfers, medical and mechanical support.

Tour De Force raises money for William Wates Memorial Trust, a charity which keeps disadvantaged youths away from crime and violence, and Jeremy has raised £3,900 through his exploits.

Jeremy does not dispute it was a tough experience, but he had a lot of faith in the training he completed before the Grand Depart in Utrecht.

“It’s a huge challenge for people, but it’s within the realms of possibility for anyone to get on their bike and do it,” he said.

“We ranged from 26 to 60 years old. Admittedly, I was banging out a stage in seven hours and the oldest guy was doing it in 12, but he still finished all 21 stages.

“I never once felt I wanted this to end. I remained positive throughout the experience.

“There was no day when I had any specific difficulties.

“Some people did go through some pretty dark places. It was really difficult for some of them to face 40km of climbing on consecutive days.

“I was just blessed I was able to ride through and enjoy a beautiful event in wonderful countryside.”

Of the group of 40 riders who set out together on the Tour, just two failed to finish, suffering a broken collar bone and broken leg.

Jeremy said he spent much of the Tour riding with a Dane and a Canadian, who helped share the pacemaking duties throughout the three weeks.

By the time he finished on July 19, he had 19 family and friends waiting for him on the Champs Elysees.

The fitandforty.org blogger, who set a burpee world record last summer, has not yet revealed his next physical test, but certainly has his thinking cap on.