The world famous names in the triathlon world are helping Maggie's to promote their first ever Mighty Bike & Hike, with Bill also giving top training tips to those who sign up.

Mighty Bike & Hike is the latest adrenalin fuelled event to be added Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres renowned calendar of events and activities. The challenge involves a 30-mile cycle, followed by a 15, 27 or 45-mile hike to bronze, silver or gold finishes.  The event is open to people of all fitness levels with Maggie’s keen to encourage entries from Triathletes and Duathletes, who wish to head out first and race the course.

The event appealed to both Michelle and Bill, due to the dual discipline aspect, the chance for professional athletes to race the course and because funds raised will help people facing cancer, and their friends and family, to build a life beyond the disease.

Michelle, current London Triathlete Champion, said: "I am proud to support Maggie’s first ever Mighty Bike & Hike. This event is held for a very good cause, raising funds to help individuals and families to build a life beyond cancer. I would like to encourage people of all fitness levels to take part in this fun event. Come and join us in October for a worthwhile challenge and a fantastic time.”

Bill, who has trained the UK’s top Triathletes to become Olympic and World Champions, is offering top training tips to participants to help them prepare for a fabulous, although challenging event.

Bill said: “A big thank you to those who have signed up for the challenge.  I am honoured to be asked to help and I will be giving participants some helpful hints and tips, which I hope will make your experiences more enjoyable and successful."

Some of Bill's top tips include:

•    Try to train consistently – daily, weekly and monthly
•    Have one rest day per week and one recovery week per month
•    Balance your training with your lifestyle of family, friends and work commitments
•    Use lunch hours to work out in the local gym or park
•    Use the weekends for the longer bike rides or walks/hikes as well as working with your team members to learn about their strengths and weaknesses, to bond and build a stronger team
•    Keep a training diary / log and record your progress and how you feel daily
•    Listen to your body, especially if feeling tired or muscles ache.  Pay attention if your body is telling you to ‘please back off a little and let me recover’

Bill will be writing a weekly column in the South Wales Evening Post (Mighty Bike & Hike’s media partner) over the following weeks, featuring a variety of topics including equipment, nutrition, refuelling, training sessions, pace control, and tapering before the big event.

The event, which takes place in South West Wales on 11-12 October 2008, will see participants cycle across country roads, mountain bike on forest trails and hike along the Gower Peninsula – an area of outstanding national beauty.