Ordinarily, a ride from Lands End to John O’Groats would involve weeks and months of training to ensure that the rider is fit enough to meet the challenge. Gina is no different – she is riding on a turbo trainer and going for brisk walks when the days are too cold to ride safely*, and riding on hilly roads when it is safe to do so.
On top of this training though, Gina is also having to plan her route (this is an unsupported ride, although she will be joined by friends during the challenge, to witness that she doesn’t have a sneaky taxi ride!), and work out exactly what kit she can reasonably carry – clothes, first aid kit, tent**, tool kit, spare parts – it will all have to be carefully stowed on her bicycle.
We’ve also been setting up JustGiving for this challenge – it’s early days yet, but if you want to donate you can do so at the following links:
Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever
Lance Armstrong
*This is something known as the Gossage Limit, and it decrees that anything below 4°C is unsafe for cyclists, owing to the risk of ice. I scoffed at this golden rule once, and learned the hard way that only the very foolhardy ignore the Gossage Limit
**The tent is no longer required. Accommodation has been booked for every night now – so that’s one less thing for an elderly granny to lug along with her.
LEJoG 82 
I’m setting off on 6th June and also carrying all my stuff but not camping and would be really interested to hear what you’re taking with you. Jane
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(On behalf of Gina)
In my case, far too much! I can never resist! Try to cut down what you carry. The golden rule is one off, one on and one for the wash. I also like to take a couple of books and other completely unnecessary items. (Have you got a friend who you can persuade to carry them for you!?)
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