Paramedic picked to cycle across the country with Olympian James Cracknell (From Enfield Independent)

Paramedic picked to cycle across the country with Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell

5:49pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

An Enfield paramedic will cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats alongside Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell.

Nicky Czwartos, 32, from Winchmore Hill Road, will set off on Saturday after winning a place on the 960-mile Deloitte Ride Across Britain in February.

She was asked to cycle 250m on an exercise bike, but surprised herself when she beat more than 100 competitors, including former world champion pursuit cyclist and Olympic silver medalist Rebecca Romero.

Ms Czwartos, who is an cycle responder for the London Ambulance Service, is well-practised as she uses a bicycle to travel to emergencies.

The cyclist, who is based at Smithfield ambulance station, said: “I'm really looking forward to beginning the ride on Saturday. I'm hoping to complete each day within nine to ten hours and of course no injuries.

“It's going to be a huge challenge for me to complete the distance in only nine days with no rest days, but I'm ready and up for the challenge.”

The emergency medical technician was on duty with a colleague when they were stopped in Finsbury Park by Cracknell and Romero, who initially asked if they could take a photograph of them with their bikes.

However, Ms Czwartos was persuaded to give the challenge a go, and she was able to complete it in 16.5 seconds.

She will compete against 700 cyclists in the race, which was launched by James Cracknell in 2010.

Ms Czwartos, who will ride an average of 106 miles per day, will raise money for London’s Air Ambulance and children's charity the Maypole Project.