The Wheelie Wheelie Big Ride to John O'Groats gets underway
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Two competitive horse riders will be swapping their steeds for bicycles as they set out on the Wheelie Wheelie Big Ride from Land's End to John O'Groats for their chosen charities this weekend.
Setting off on Sunday (June 27), they plan to complete the journey in 12 days, arriving in John O'Groats on Thursday, July 8.
On their bikes will be Maddy Moffett and Joanne Bednall, both competitive horse riders, with Jo's husband Clive in charge of the backup vehicle.
A lack of competitions during lockdown meant that Jo (56), who is also a GB age group triathlete and a renowned fell runner, was able to increase her cycling mileage, along with mentoring and helping Maddy, which led to the setting of this new challenge.
Maddy (45), who still events and is a popular equestrian coach, has been finding it harder to fit in training as restrictions have eased but is still managing to get out on the bike twice a week and has recently been putting in some hill work, complimented with some swimming.
They have already exceeded their target of raising £3000. "We are really chuffed with that – we might have to change our target now," she said. "Everybody has been so supportive."
On Saturday the trio head down to Cornwall ready to set off on their challenge on Sunday. Maddy, who is from Buxton in Derbyshire, said: "We hope the wind will change to a southerly by then."
She has come up with a cunning plan for when she starts to tire saying: "One of my tactics to slow Jo down is to take lots of photos for the Facebook page."
Maddy has never visited Caithness before, the furthest north she has ventured perviously was to Burgie, near Forres, to take part in one of the horse trials there.
During lockdown she realised she was doing a lot of cycling as a means of transport to go and provide lessons for some of her clients. "I was just trundling along," Maddy explained. The next she knew she was out cycling with her friend Jo and was agreeing to take part in this epic challenge.
The pair cycled loads during the lockdown and throughout dogged determination they each cycled over 1000 miles. They have been following a
Facebook page with gives tips about the LeJog challenge, which they have found really good.
Confessing to being a little nervous about things, Maddy said: "It is certainly going to be new territory for us."
The chosen charities are –Air Ambulance, Lupus UK and World Horse Welfare.
In October 2016 Jo had a horse riding accident where she broke her neck, requiring the services of the fabulous Air Ambulance, without whom she wouldn't be cycling today. She is raising funds for the service to show her gratitude.
Maddy's sister was diagnosed with lupus after years of not knowing what was wrong with her, and so she is raising money for Lupus UK to try and raise awareness and help research for this relatively unknown illness.
World Horse Welfare was chosen by their friend Chris Milton, an Elite Triathlete who turned to horse riding in later life. She carried out a lot of the logistic work for the challenge and had originally hoped to drive the camper van to provide the backup.
They have their own Facebook page – Wheelie Wheelie Big Ride – where updates and photos will be posted. Donations can be made through their GoFundMe fundraising page by clicking here.
