There is still one place left for anyone who wants to take part in a fantastic cycling challenge this summer.

A group of 24 cyclists will be raising funds for The Children’s Centre by tackling a 910-mile ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats starting on June 29. It’s a demanding challenge that will take nine days to complete, but it’s suitable for anyone who is of average fitness and can commit to do some training before the event.

The Children’s Centre is offering all the team members advice on preparing for the challenge and recently organised a talk with Isle of Man cycling legend Andrew Roche - winner of the 1997 Tour of Ireland and an Island Games record breaker. Andy - who now runs a cycling coaching business www.wattsupcoaching.net - gave the team advice on how to set up their bikes and tips on training and nutrition. Jacqui Fletcher, also an accomplished cyclist who, like Andy, has represented the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games, also attended the advice session to give tips on how stretching exercises can help prevent injuries and aid recovery after training rides.

The Children’s Centre will also give all the team members advice and support on raising funds. All participants must raise a minimum of ?1,250 in sponsorship, but there are two options for anyone who wants to take part. Option one is to raise the minimum sponsorship total - but to reserve a place participants just have to pay an initial registration fee of ?95. The second option is self-funding - pay ?500 for the trip (which includes the initial ?95 registration fee) and then raise ?750 from sponsorship.

Mark Eastham, Fundraising Co-ordinator for The Children’s Centre, said:

“Last year seven riders completed the LEJOG Challenge and raised more than ?25,000 for The Children’s Centre. It was a magnificent effort and the feedback we received from those who took part was that they were impressed with how the event was organised and with the support we gave to riders in the build up to the event and during the challenge. This year we have increased the number of riders who can take part but due to other commitments one of the riders has unfortunately had to withdraw from the event. So we have one place left, but I would urge anyone who is interested to get in touch as soon as possible as there is likely to be a lot of interest in taking up this fantastic opportunity.”

The date for the event has been set to include two weekends and two Bank Holidays, so participants will only need a minimal number of days off work. Riders will average around 100 miles per day, but the group will be led by experienced guides who will help to control the pace so that everyone completes the challenge. The schedule will be as follows:

Day 1: Lands End - Okehampton; Day 2: Okehampton - Bristol; Day 3: Bristol - Shrewsbury; Day 4: Shrewsbury - Lancaster; Day 5: Lancaster - Moffat; Day 6: Moffat - Loch Lomond; Day 7: Loch Lomond - Loch Leven; Day 8: Loch Leven - Tain; Day 9: Tain - John O'Groats.

The 23 riders who have already signed up for the event are Jude Bullough, Tony Cawte, David Churcher, Gill Churcher, Andrew Cowley, Benjamin Duke, Andy Dunn, Peter Harrison, Tristen Head, Barry Hennedy, Gary Johnson, Richard Lardner-Burke, Duncan Mackay, Findlay Macleod, Jason Mallone, Robert Quane, Tanya Sanderson, Bill Shimmins, Paul Swindale, and John Venables - plus Mark Eastham who will be one of the tour guides.

There is also a LEJOG relay event for teams of four to ride the same route. So far two teams have signed up - one from The Children’s Centre led by Chief Executive John Knight, and one from pharmacovigilance company Panacea Pharma Projects (PPP). John was part of the seven-man team who cycled from Land’s End to John o’Groats for the charity last year. The PPP team will be led by Managing Director Matthew McSevney who commented:

“After completing the course solo two years ago I never thought I would consider doing it again! But the concept of a relay event in which we can take part as a team was too much to resist. What makes it even more challenging is to be riding with other teams which will provide extra motivation for everyone involved. It is a great event for the team at PPP and will benefit a local charity which provides services for families and children across the Island.”

To find out more about the LEJOG challenges - or to sign up - contact Mark Eastham by emailing markeastham@thechildrenscentre.org.im or by calling 01624 676076. Alternatively, you can sign up for the LEJOG challenges by going to http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/adventure-events/

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