In October 2013, LHS Support and volunteer Lydia Franklin cycled the whole of Route 66 in the USA in support of Love Hope Strength.
In doing so she raise an astounding £6500! This includes money from Just Giving donations and the end of cycle concert with Beki Hemmingway, Joe Silva and Chevy Metal.
Lydia has undertaken challenges in the name of LHS before, but this was her biggest yet, with a great concert to celebrate at the end…featuring Taylor Hawkins from The Foo Fighters!
Lydia cycled around 100 miles per day for 24 days with a total of just 4 rest days over a total distance of 2400 miles.
The challenge was done completely solo carrying all her own gear.
Route 66 is possibly the most famous road in the world, and is sometimes refereed to as the Main Street of America.
Lydia kept a detailed blog of her trip and it makes a fascinating insight into the pain and triumph of such tough challenge.
Information about the trek can he found here:-
Route 66 Blog
Facebook
Just Giving
“I have a good general fitness, I go indoor climbing twice a week and can quite happily get on my bike and ride 60 to 70 miles a day, and I’m going out for a long ride whenever I can.”
“I haven’t really thought about the physical side. You just get into a routine and rhythm to make the distance. I’m more thinking about getting saddle-sore, which isn’t very glamorous.”
“It shouldn’t be too cold in Chicago or too hot in Mexico in October and the scenery is going to change dramatically as I pass through eight states”.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the Grand Canyon and going through the Mojave Desert and that peacefulness and calmness of being in the middle of nowhere”.
“I’m a bit unsure about navigating my way through the cities but I am feeling excited”.
“Not many people can say they have cycled across America. That’s a pretty cool thing to do.”
Lydia Franklin