Badenoch's mighty Quinn sets out!
A Badenoch cyclist started out on the gruelling LEJOG on Tuesday – all of 943 miles from Land’s End to John o’Groats – having already done it three times since February!
At least, that’s what Joe Quinn, of Lynchat, reckons, after preparing for his Help4Heroes charity trip by covering some 70 miles a day.
“I wanted to make sure that doing the real thing would seem like nothing at all,” he told the “Strathy” as he boarded the train at Kingussie.
The retired health, safety and environmental advisor is making the journey completely unaided.
“I haven’t even booked B&Bs anywhere after the first night because I didn’t need the pressure of having to make daily deadlines,” he explained. “If I have to sleep rough anywhere that’s what I’ll do – I have my bivvy bag and three changes of clothes.
“I will be travelling as light as possible.”
Joe will keep in touch by phone and the internet with his wife Catherine, who confirmed: “It’s long been Joe’s ambition to do the trip before he was 70 – and he’s just made it!”
The 69-year-old has received the backing of several local businesses and was especially grateful to Bothy Bikes in Aviemore.: “They’ve kept me on the road, literally,” he said. “They’ve been amazing, looking after the bike which now simply couldn’t be in better nick.”
Better, in some ways, than its rider, who after a lifetime of good healthy outdoor pursuits now sports a plastic shoulder and a new hip!
He said: “I’m generally falling to bits after a lifelong interest in climbing, but I’ve prepared well and I’m feeling ready for the fray.”
He aims to complete the trip in 13 cycling days and two rest days to raise £5,000 for Help4Heroes.
For more details visit www.bmycharity.com/JoeQuinn
