Wheel power sets two British friends on the road to Sichuan

WHEN Londoner Fiona Dunlop agreed to a cycling trip with a friend, she found herself preparing for a 4,400-kilometre spin on some of China's roughest roads - in monsoon season.

Jill Cholmondeley, 42, and Ms Dunlop, 37, rested at a Hong Kong hotel yesterday after pedalling from coastal Shanghai to Chengdu.

Their 75-day journey raised sponsorship in Britain and Hong Kong to conserve Asian rainforests.

Ms Cholmondeley planned the journey after reading an 18th century book in which the author described his journey by boat and sedan chair.

The bikers plotted their route, marshalled sponsors for their bikes and expenses and raised donations for London's Kew Foundation.

Together with a Chinese guide, they bounced their bikes over superhighways and lanes, venturing into remote villages, Ms Dunlop said.

Ms Cholmondeley said: ''The Chinese have a saying that the roads in Sichuan are more difficult than the road to heaven. I reckon we've got to heaven a few times.'' The pair flew from their finishing point at Chengdu to Hong Kong on Wednesday. They were to auction both their donated Raleigh bicycles at a dinner last night before returning to London today.