A Leisurely bike ride is a popular way to spend a summer’s weekend, but Melksham’s Jason Webb is taking things one step further, as he plans to ride a gruelling 869 miles in four days for charity.
The 44-year-old from Hastings Road, Bowerhill, is hoping to complete next week’s LEL ride from London to Edinburgh and back again.
He is hoping his trek will raise money for Self Unlimited, a charity which supports people with learning difficulties and disabilities.
The epic journey is expected to take 116 hours, with Mr Webb planning on riding through the night to complete it in time.
The Cooper Tires store man first got into cycling through his father-in-law.
He said: “He was a long-distance cyclist. He’d come home saying he was doing a 300-mile ride, and I used to say he was mad. He said to me to get a bike, and we’d go off together. When I started off he would have to wait for me, but as time passed I improved. My wife Claire has been very supportive, she’s glad I am doing it to follow on from her dad.”
More than 1,000 riders will set off from London on Monday for the challenge, which only takes place every four years, and Mr Webb already has his route firmly planned out.
He said: “I’m hoping to do the first 200k in one go, so I can get to Thirsk in Yorkshire by Monday morning, then I’ll do most of my riding through the day, sleeping at checkpoints at local schools.
“I plan to get back on Thursday night, as I have to be back in work on Monday morning.”
Donate at
l www.virginmoneygiving. com/jasonLEL2013
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