Motorcycling pals hope to raise thousands for charity as they rev up for a monster road trip across the UK.
Ian Charlesworth, Chris Tebbit, Robert McDonald and Ethan and John Stenner are visiting the most Northerly, Southerly, Easterly and Western points – non-stop, apart from fuel and rest breaks, within the space of 36 hours.
Starting at John O’Groats, in Scotland, they will head to St Davids, on the Welsh coast, and Land’s End, in Cornwall, before finishing in Lowestoft.
The gruelling journey – around 1,500 miles – is in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and they intend to get underway at the crack of dawn on Saturday, 29th April.
Salesman Ian and technician Ethan are colleagues at Reiten Motorrad, in Glemsford. John is Ethan’s dad while Chris and Robert are friends from Tect Risk Services and A2B Motorcycle Movers respectively.
“It’s a 29-hour ride, according to Google Maps,” said Ian, from Stowmarket.
“However, that’s without any stops and our plan is to rest for a quarter of an hour every time we fill up. It’s important to top ourselves up – not just in terms of petrol but also in terms of coffee and chocolate!
“We estimate that we’ll stop about a dozen times, so hope to complete the challenge in 30 to 32 hours. Having said that, if it takes longer then so be it – even if we don’t finish within 36 hours.
“We’re not going to do anything silly and plan to stay safe. If we need to stop and sleep then that’s what we’ll do. The most important thing is that we complete the distance, by hook or by crook.”
Ian, 47, is no stranger to epic bike rides and once completed 1,000 miles in 19 hours. Now he is ready for another challenge and determined to raise as much as possible for EACH.
“It’s certainly daunting but going to be an experience and something special to share together,” he said.
“My only regret is that we don’t have longer in any place, but it’s still going to be great and we’ll have a giggle along the way. It’s going to be long and tiring but we want to raise money for a great cause.
“All costs will be coming out of our own pockets, so we hope family, friends and the public get behind us and help make our trip worthwhile by donating as much as possible.
“We wanted to do something for a local charity, rather than a national one. My fear with the latter is that your money goes into a big pot and you don’t necessarily get to see how it’s spent.
“With EACH, it feels more tangible and we’re safe in the knowledge that our donation will directly help and benefit children, young people and families within our community.
“I like that thought and know the others feel the same.”
Ian and Co. will all be riding on BMW motorbikes. To sponsor the group, head here.
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia. It has three hospices – The Treehouse, in Ipswich, The Nook, near Norwich, and at Milton, near Cambridge.
