Marlborough cyclists – St John’s Academy teacher, Penny Dickinson (61), Margo George (51), and Kerry Hall (56) have now completed their cycling challenge – all 580 kilometres of the St. Olavsleden, the northernmost pilgrim trail in the world. Starting at Trondheim Cathedral they crossed Norway to Selånger on the east coast of Sweden. The trail goes through large forests, over mountains, along lakes and past communities and historic sites. They have raised nearly £2500 for the UK charity The Eve Appeal that funds research and awareness-raising of the five gynaecological cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. Last year Kerry’s daughter-in-law, Maria (40’s), who lives in Norway, was diagnosed very late with cervical cancer. The friends wanted to show support, strength, and love by taking on the cycling challenge. Click here if you would like to donate to their Just Giving page.
Highlights of the trip have included the stillness and remoteness of the route and the warmth of hospitality along the way in the pilgrim hostels, from other pilgrims and from the communities they passed through who provided shelter and offerings.
They were all impressed with the number of cycle paths that exist in Norway and Sweden making it much safer to travel on major roads – a lesson that the UK could learn.
The three friends told Marlborough.news of the challenges they faced and overcame. “We had to choose the most challenging direction – west to east – because of the logistics and bike hire. We used a modern GPS system for navigation but we were still faced with routes blocked by electric fences and at one point taking a road into a motorway tunnel and being stopped by police.
In places the remoteness of the trail was a challenge and we had to resort to finding water in mountain streams.
Saddle soreness is always a feature of our cycle trips and we also gained bruises in places you didn’t think you could bruise! But this time they were more symbolic in view of our chosen charity and what it represents to many women suffering from gynaecological cancers. Falls on and off road on unpredictable terrain led to more bruises!”
However, despite the bruises the three have a tremendous sense of achievement at finishing the challenge.
“Now we have finished we feel lucky to have had the opportunity to complete this beautiful ride and happy that we have been able to begin to raise awareness for the Eve Appeal and for early diagnosis of gynaecological cancers. Finally, the best of news – although still undergoing intensive chemotherapy Maria has responded really positively against the odds.
We have started to look for our next challenge. Our message is – age is only a number and should never limit your possibilities… Ok?”
The sheep are back in town
