On September 9 Amanda Nelson will be cycling solo from Lands End to John O’Groats (colloquially known as LEJOG). It’s a classic UK challenge but what makes Amanda’s epic 1140mile ride so impressive is that 3 years she developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a rare and incurable neurological disorder that severely affected her mobility and left her unable to walk without the aid of crutches or the use of a wheelchair/mobility scooter. Thinking she would never be able to ride a bike again, that changed when she was loaned a tandem, by the charity Charlotte’s Tandems (charlottestandems.co.uk), and she became determined to remain unbeaten by CRPS and to raise money for research into the condition.
Earlier this year she took part in Ride London 100 on a tandem with her and her pilot Emma completing the 100 miles in just under six and a half hours. Despite having loved the experience of riding with the help of others she decided that the LEJOG challenge should be a solo affair and will set off on a recumbent trike next week on a route that will take her through Bath, Royal Wootton Bassett, Cirencester, Liverpool, York, Glasgow and on to John O’Groats.
For further details about Amanda’s challenge see facebook.com or follow her on Twitter @Amanda_CRPS
To make a donation (please do) you can visit her JustGiving page here