Gran tour: Gina, 82, oldest to cycle UK
AN 82-year-old gran-offive has become the oldest woman to cycle the length of Britain.
It took Gina Harris 28 days to pedal the 960 miles from Lands End to John O’ Groats.
She raised £5,000 for domestic abuse charities along the way and, when she reached the finish in the far north of Scotland, celebrated with a slab of chocolate cake.
Gina, who had two children with late husband Tim, started cycling at the age of 50.
The superfit retired photographer and gardener, from Birmingham, said: “I rode my old steel touring bike and carried my luggage – a combined weight of more than 30kg. It was hard work but when you get into a rhythm you keep going.
“I lost a sock on the first leg of the journey but luckily I had spares.”
She only fell off once when a toe-strap snapped near Carlisle and left her a bit grazed.
Gina said: “Some of the roads were rough and potholed and a nightmare to ride on.”
But she added: “I enjoyed every moment.”
She is now waiting to have her record verified. The current holder is Mavis Paterson, from Dumfries and Galloway, who made the journey at the age of 81.
Gina said: “Hopefully it’ll be official. My sat nav packed up on day nine and didn’t register 15 miles. But I’m hoping it won’t matter.”