On the 11th July thirty-seven cyclists came to the end of the gruelling 321 mile journey from London to Land’s End in aid of Quintessentially Foundation. They cycled an average of eighty miles per day for four continuous days, which would have been challenging enough without the added unexpected challenge of having to climb the high peaks of Dartmoor.
Yet despite the difficult terrain and the long days the team’s morale was always high and talk was cheerful. At the end of each day, the group enjoyed a well-earned rest at a top restaurant where they would found good food and good wine a-plenty to lull them into a deep sleep in preparation for another early start and another long ride.
Reaching Land’s End was an emotional and joyful occasion, and plenty of beers were cracked open as the cyclists toasted their success. They returned to London, having stopped en-route to watch the World Cup Final, with tired eyes, sore thighs, and a definite sense of achievement.
It was an incredible feat for a group who at the beginning of the four days ranged in skill from keen cyclists to total novices and varied considerably in age and experience. Those who didn’t even know how to fix a puncture seemed like professionals, and those who were total strangers made firm friends.
So far, almost GBP 132,000 has been raised for the foundation, with donations still being made. The money raised through the generosity of donors, will go to support the work of Quintessentially Foundation which, thanks to the strength and courage of the cyclists, is now a little closer to achieving their admirable missions.
