A Frome resident has completed a 1,000-mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, raising money for a life-saving air ambulance charity.
Naomi Crosby wanted to complete the challenge before turning 75 in July.
She finished the journey from Cornwall to Scotland in 14.5 days, supporting the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Charity with £700 in donations collected along the way.
“It is one of the classic trips that a lot of cyclists set their hearts on doing,” she said. “Looking back, I actually really enjoyed it. I may not have said that at the time but the single-mindedness of it is really nice. Every day I got on my bike and cycled for about eight hours. Then I’d stop, eat and rest and do it all again. It is just wonderful.”
It is the second time she has taken on the challenge, having first completed the route around 20 years ago.
She said, “When I did it 20 years ago my husband was still alive and I did the first week on my own with my luggage on my bike, then he joined me and then he got a taste for it. It was just the two of us making our way up the country.”
This time she completed the ride with her friend Sally, with other friends joining them at stages along the route.
She said cycling is something she is drawn to because of the sense of freedom it brings.
“I have been wondering and thinking about why I like cycling for a while,” she said. “I like to go long distances and I like to be independent, even though I do like cycling with other people and it feels safer. It is just part of who I am and I like being out on my bike. I only started cycling when I was about 40.”
She chose to raise money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Charity, which provides emergency critical care across the region. She said that it is a service that anyone may need to use at any time and an inclusive charity people can donate to.
To support Naomi’s fundraising campaign, visit https://shorturl.at/r7CrY
