Bike challenge will be like going up Everest twice...

So reads the headline in our local newspaper - The Burton Mail!

We were interviewed and had our photo taken last Friday and the article actually appears today. Here's what it says:

by HELEN KREFT

TWO South Derbyshire cyclists are embarking on the trip of a lifetime to raise £5,000 for two charities.

Gary Gee and Paul Hathaway

Gary Gee and Paul Hathaway, both of Netherseal, have set themselves the daunting task of cycling the 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just 10 days.

The pair became friends when they met in the village and rediscovered cycling around the same time.

The 53-year-olds, who are members of Mercia Cycling Club, decided to put their new-found hobby to good use by raising money for charity.

They have already raised £3,500 through sponsors and are hoping to reach their target of £5,000 by the time they finish their challenge next month.

Mr Hathaway said: “The idea came about last October. We were in the pub when we had this crazy idea to raise money for charity by cycling. We decided to do it from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

“We started training that month, through the winter, and bought new bikes in the new year.

“Training has now become more serious — we do about 300 to 400 miles a month. Last month we did 850 miles.” The duo have decided to donate the money raised to Guide Dogs for the Blind and Help for Heroes, as Gary’s wife works with guide dogs, and they have seen a lot of work done by Help for Heroes, which raises money for wounded ex-servicemen and women.

Paul said: “We have every intention of completing this. I know that at least one of us will complete it, we have said that.

“We are excited and a bit nervous but we are just training as much as we can.

“Gary and I intend to complete the course — around 1,000 miles — in 10 days, which is 100 miles a day.

“The route from Land’s End to John O’Groats involves a fair amount of hills — by the time we have finished we will have cycled the equivalent of going up Mount Everest twice.” Practical Car and Van Rental in Burton is helping by providing a support vehicle for the trip.

Anyone who would like to make a donation, check the route or see how the training is going can find the pair’s blog at www.paulandgaryaremad.blogspot. com.