Newport adventurer Richard Parks training for Himalayan bike marathon (From South Wales Argus)

Newport adventurer Richard Parks training for Himalayan bike marathon

7:00am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News

ADVENTURER Richard Parks was back in the saddle at the weekend preparing for his next gruelling challenge in Nepal.

The former Newport Dragons and Wales rugby player was training in Sheffield at the weekend ahead of Yak Attack - the world's highest mountain bike race next month.

Mr Parks, 35, was in the Peak District trying out a new bike and equipment ahead of the 248-mile endurance event through the Himalayas starting on March 1.

He has wasted no time since returning from his failed Antarctica mission, where severe weather conditions and lost luggage forced him to pull out just 200 miles from the South Pole and was straight back into training.

Earlier this month he announced his intention to compete in three events this year, which will prepare him for his next world first project, known only as Project X.

A film crew from Channel 5 will document the events, which also include the Vietnam Jungle Marathon and The Brutal - a Welsh double ironman triathlon, which will see Mr Parks swim 4.8 miles in Lake Padarn, cycle 224 miles over the hills of Snowdonia followed by a 52-mile run up, down and around Snowdonia.