Long haul cycle ride for good cause
A GARAGE worker may be suffering from a little saddle-soreness after biking the length and breadth of Britain for charity.Cycling-mad Ben Caisey, 27, decided to get on his bike after being inspired by a message from rowing Olympian Steve Redgrave on the website for Sport Aid – the sporting arm of Comic Relief.
A GARAGE worker may be suffering from a little saddle-soreness after biking the length and breadth of Britain for charity.
Cycling-mad Ben Caisey, 27, decided to get on his bike after being inspired by a message from rowing Olympian Steve Redgrave on the website for Sport Aid – the sporting arm of Comic Relief.
But even the heroic oarsmen might be daunted by the mammoth task ahead of brave Ben – he hopes to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End in only two weeks.
Ben, of All Saint's Road, Creeting St Mary, said: 'My family all think I'm mad, but they're all a bit mad as well, so they've been right behind me.
'I've had a lot of support from all my mates and family right from the start.'
Ben plans to be self-sufficient which means he will be weighed down by his tent and camping stove as well as all the tools he'll need to keep his bike in good working order.
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He said: 'I've covered about 130 miles in a day before, but that wasn't with all the stuff on the bike which will make a big difference.'
Ben cycles to Cattermoles garage, in West End Road, Ipswich, every day for work, which he reckons is an 11-mile round trip. And he covers anything up to 150 miles over a weekend with Ipswich Bike Club.
But he realises the charity trek will be a step up from anything he has attempted before.
He said: 'I'm not quite sure what I'm letting myself in for, but I'm confident. I think I should be ok.
'I should be raising quite a few hundred pounds and it's for a very good cause. Hopefully, I'll be able raise a bit of money on the way as well.'
Halfords, in Suffolk Retail Park, Ipswich, is donating waterproofs and warm cycling gear to protect him against the worst of the Scottish weather. And David Shipp, who owns The Cells cycle shop in the Old Town Hall, Needham Market, has been carrying out free repairs.
But Ben, who plans to set off on Saturday, is desperate for some help to get up to John O'Groats as he fears it will cost him a small fortune on the train.
If you can help Ben get to John O'Groats give him a call on 07984 921022 or 01473 255461.
