Valtteri Bottas reveals lizard-leaping, python-dodging cycling exploits on epic ride

Valtteri Bottas poses with his bike after arriving Singapore at the end of a 418km ride from Malaysia. Photograph: Simon Galloway/LAT Images View image in fullscreen Valtteri Bottas poses with his bike after arriving Singapore at the end of a 418km ride from Malaysia. Photograph: Simon Galloway/LAT Images Valtteri Bottas reveals lizard-leaping, python-dodging cycling exploits on epic ride Cadillac driver rode between Malaysia and Singapore Four-day trip helped him acclimatise for Singapore GP Valtteri Bottas has revealed the details of an incident-packed 418km bike ride including encounters with snakes, being chased . The 37-year-old is a keen cyclist and after a suggestion from his girlfriend, the Australian Olympic cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, he decided to take on the challenge of riding from the last round in Sepang near Kuala Lumpur to this weekend’s grand prix on the street circuit in Singapore, under his own steam. Verstappen’s victory in Sepang should serve as a warning to Red Bull’s rivals | Giles Richards He managed the journey, which the rest of the F1 paddock undertook in flights that last just over an hour, in four days of riding including off-road and gravel sections beginning on the Sunday after the race in Malaysia. He completed 56km on the Sunday, before putting in two big stints on Monday and Tuesday, both of 161km, before concluding with 40km to finish on Wednesday. Speaking before this Sunday’s night race in Singapore the Finn, who has won 10 grands prix, described events that included leaping over a lizard en route. “Saw some snakes, which I was a little bit worried about but actually they were pretty chill. They were just doing their thing,” he said. “I saw one cobra, saw one python just crossing the path in front of me. Saw some of those big lizards that you also see here. “One was on the path, I had to jump over it with a bike. So I saw it like last minute. Got stuck behind a group of cows on a small track. Eventually they moved away.” He admitted it had been hard, but added that it was a unique experience. “What was the wildest part was the riding at night in the jungle. The noise in there is like … your mind starts to play games of what is out there. But then you just need to crack on and keep going. Riding with your lights at night, that was probably the most epic part in the forest.” Bottas has taken part in cycling events when he is away from F1.