A TRIO of Irish cyclists arrived in Beijing, China yesterday having completed a 14,000km cycle from Ireland.
The three Dublin men, Mark Donlon, Conor Rowan and Paul Ryan, set out for the Chinese capital last September, arriving in time to support their friend athlete David Gillick in the 2008 Olympic Games.
The men, who did not see their families for almost a year, maintained an online blog documenting their journey, which included an earthquake and two near arrests.
While in the Chinese city of Xian, they encountered the earthquake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.
Conor Rowan said they "felt continuous shaking for about two or three minutes" before being rushed out of the hostel to "lots of ambulances and fire brigades buzzing around".
In Iran, they had their first encounter with the police, after trying to stay in a mosque for the night. Mark Donlon said some children suggested they stay there, and the mosque's caretaker gave them permission.
However, no sooner were they settling in, when they were surrounded by approximately 20 police officers brandishing AK47 guns. "They told us it was not right for Catholics to stay in the mosque and they sent us on to a hotel" said Mr Donlon.
The "Bike to Beijing" bike ride has raised more than €36,000 thus far for UCD Volunteers Overseas and ARC Cancer Support Centre, Dublin.