Residents hit Route 66 to raise cash for bikes
DISABLED residents at Gloucestershire House, a Cheltenham care home run by charity Leonard Cheshire, are taking on a huge 2,400-mile virtual cycle across the USA.
Cycling the renowned Route 66 from the east coast in Chicago to the west coast in California, the full-time wheelchair users are completing the lockdown challenge on static therapy bikes and accessible bikes.
Disabled people from three more Leonard Cheshire homes provide extra pedal power for the journey Stateside. Residents from Symonds House in Hertfordshire, St Bridget’s in West Sussex and Fryers House in Hampshire are racking up the miles and pooling their totals.
Organiser Dave Evans lives at Gloucestershire House and involves everyone at each home, highlighting the group’s progress on a virtual map and tracking famous landmarks on the way.
He said: “We’ve made brilliant progress with the Route 66 Challenge. Under lockdown, our intrepid Leonard Cheshire riders are taking on the biggest trek we’ve ever done. We wanted to create new connections and boost morale.
“We wanted to improve our physical fitness and have a bit of fun. And it’s working really well.”
The virtual journey began on June 1 and the cyclists hope to reach Santa Monica by July 31. This end date will be a double celebration for Gloucestershire House’s California girl Beth, who is aiming to cross the finish line on her birthday.
The Route 66 trip comes after Gloucestershire House residents completed the LEJOG Challenge in April, riding the length of Britain from Land’s End to John O’groats. Sarah Grout, Regional Fundraising Executive at Leonard Cheshire, said: “The phenomenal Route 66 Challenge provides an extra boost to morale. “The teamwork provides great motivation, with friendships being formed across the country as a direct result. This specialist equipment is costly and needs constant servicing and replacement. Funds raised through the challenge will help buy and maintain cycling equipment for all the homes involved, meaning in future more people can experience the benefits of cycling.”
To donate to the Route 66 Challenge in aid of Leonard Cheshire, please visit justgiving.com/route66virtualcycle