Alison Shelton
Those who know me well might not be surprised to hear that last year, when my schoolfriend, Fiona, mentioned in passing that she intended to cycle the length of the UK on her bike, I asked who she was doing it with … and within seconds I volunteered to join her.
What an amazing opportunity to join the legions of people who have undertaken LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) - creating the memories of a lifetime, by hopefully getting a little fitter and raising some money for causes close to our hearts - for me, our Village Hall and Church. Too good an opportunity to miss!
Back in June, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic causing uncertainty as to the ultimate viability of the ride, we finally decided to just go for it and start training. A 14-week training programme of 47 scheduled rides was devised: Fiona is covering her miles down in Dorset, and I am cycling up in lovely Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
So, on Sunday 13th September 2020, our never-to-be-repeated, self-funded adventure begins: stretching the 1,000 or so miles over a ‘leisurely’ 16 days cycling, Fiona and I are doing it the easy way - overnight B&Bs and a great support team: our school friend, Julia, and our respective husbands who have signed all up to provide ‘Maintenance’ of mind, body, bikes and soul before, during and after the big event.
Julia is holding us to account on our training miles in our weekly Zoom meetings, and she and her husband, Michael, are driving along with us for much of the journey. Fiona’s husband, Charlie, has coordinated and booked our accommodation and will be driving with us throughout, carrying our overnight bags, the cycle repair paraphernalia (and extra snacks!) in his car. And my husband, David, is providing oodles of moral support including joining me on some of the training rides. He will see me off at the start and be there at the end, but following our exploits online on Garmin LiveTrack as he is needed to stay home with Bella and Bailey, our Weimaraners. A massive thanks also goes to my Stathern training buddies – Rod, Julian and Nicky - who are helping to keep me on the road.
As mentioned earlier, LEJOG provides a great opportunity to raise some funds. Both of my ‘causes’ are in the beautiful village of Stathern, where mine and David's forever home now lies. Funds for either, or both, causes will be very gratefully received.
Many thanks for reading down the page so far (!) and thanks in anticipation of any support you feel you can give to our good causes.
Most days I anticipate posting an update on my Facebook page and I look forward to sharing the highs and the not-so highs with everyone in October!!
Onwards and upwards,
Follow Alison at https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158528634627236&id=682117235
What an amazing opportunity to join the legions of people who have undertaken LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) - creating the memories of a lifetime, by hopefully getting a little fitter and raising some money for causes close to our hearts - for me, our Village Hall and Church. Too good an opportunity to miss!
Back in June, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic causing uncertainty as to the ultimate viability of the ride, we finally decided to just go for it and start training. A 14-week training programme of 47 scheduled rides was devised: Fiona is covering her miles down in Dorset, and I am cycling up in lovely Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
So, on Sunday 13th September 2020, our never-to-be-repeated, self-funded adventure begins: stretching the 1,000 or so miles over a ‘leisurely’ 16 days cycling, Fiona and I are doing it the easy way - overnight B&Bs and a great support team: our school friend, Julia, and our respective husbands who have signed all up to provide ‘Maintenance’ of mind, body, bikes and soul before, during and after the big event.
Julia is holding us to account on our training miles in our weekly Zoom meetings, and she and her husband, Michael, are driving along with us for much of the journey. Fiona’s husband, Charlie, has coordinated and booked our accommodation and will be driving with us throughout, carrying our overnight bags, the cycle repair paraphernalia (and extra snacks!) in his car. And my husband, David, is providing oodles of moral support including joining me on some of the training rides. He will see me off at the start and be there at the end, but following our exploits online on Garmin LiveTrack as he is needed to stay home with Bella and Bailey, our Weimaraners. A massive thanks also goes to my Stathern training buddies – Rod, Julian and Nicky - who are helping to keep me on the road.
As mentioned earlier, LEJOG provides a great opportunity to raise some funds. Both of my ‘causes’ are in the beautiful village of Stathern, where mine and David's forever home now lies. Funds for either, or both, causes will be very gratefully received.
Many thanks for reading down the page so far (!) and thanks in anticipation of any support you feel you can give to our good causes.
Most days I anticipate posting an update on my Facebook page and I look forward to sharing the highs and the not-so highs with everyone in October!!
Onwards and upwards,
Follow Alison at https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158528634627236&id=682117235