The magnificent seven
(Herald Express 1/5/2008)
by Jake Rusby

SADDLE UP: the seven cyclists who will be riding from Land's End to John O'Groats pictured outside Leisure Wheels in Hemd Hempstead.

Seven cyclists are getting wheelie excited about a thousand mile bike ride to raise money for the Hospice of St Francis.

The seven members of Leverstock Green Cricket Club will be pedaling through forests over hills and dales, and even across half a mile of Wales, as they take on the grueling challenge of cycling from Land's End to John O' Groats.

One of the cyclists, Noel Mahon, of Telham Court, Hemel Hempstead, completed the feat last year and he has now recruited six friends, all from Hemel Hempstead, to take on the challenge with him this year.

He said:"We just enjoy cycling. But we want to raise money for the hospice as well. "Everybody knows someone who has been cared for by a hospice. The work they do is just amazing. "It would just be great to raise some money for them, but we have no idea how much we are capable of raising."

As the days get lighter over the next few months local people are more likely to spot the seven cyclists out and about as they prepare for their challenge.

"We need to do some serious training to get up to fitness," Noel added. "We have been training since November, but now it's getting light we will hopefully get to do more in the evening. At the moment we are doing about 30 miles a day."

The group will be set-ting off from Lands End on August 1, and will be spend the next fortnight furiously pedaling to make it back for August 14. "Two weeks fits in with most people's holidays. That's about all we can take off from work at one time," Noel said

Leisure Wheels, in Hemel Hempstead High Street, is sponsoring the ride, providing the riders with shirts for the 961 mile journey.

If you are interested in sponsoring the group send an email to steve.wrightl@talk21. com. Donations to the team can be made at www.e2e2008.blogspot. com