Hi, I am Carla McKenzie and I’m a hard-working businesswoman. But I don’t want to talk about me. I want to talk about a charity that helps injured service people to rebuild their lives. In 2012 I rode across the USA with Bike Tours for the Wounded, with a disabled soldier on my pillion. Bike Tours for the Wounded provides life-changing motorcycle rides for hundreds of wounded injured and sick service men and women – enabling them to improve their confidence, face changed futures, and form lasting support networks among the participants. But now I want to do more.  I want to help them to reach 10 more heroes; and to give those heroes the opportunity to ride pillion along the famous Route 66.

That’s why, to raise funds, starting in July on my 51st birthday, I am riding from John O'Groats to Land's End off-road. I've never ridden off-road before and quite frankly I am terrified. I’m boosted by the thought that I’m doing it for people who have had to face far worse experiences defending us than I can imagine, who have suffered for it, and who now face far greater challenges than me, every day. I have enlisted the support of the Wiltshire Trail Riders Fellowship. I am working in partnership with the Lt Dougie Dalzell MC memorial trust. Dougie died in Afghanistan at the age of 27.

24/04/2015 - Update

With just ten weeks to go, preparation for this most unusual of challenges is well underway. Riding a motorcycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End, and avoiding tarmac, has involved far more planning than I could ever have imagined. My physical training plan is ‘on target’ and these 6am gym sessions, coupled with a strict diet, are starting to yield results. Ride training has hit a few setbacks with an unexpected engine rebuild required for the Husqvarna 250 which means that I am three weeks behind –  time which will need to be made up.

It has been an exciting journey thus far and two weeks ago Bolton-based British motorcycle manufacturer CCM came on board to support the challenge. I hope to take delivery of my new CCM GP 450 at the beginning of June and this will be the bike that I will be using to complete the challenge. And just to be clear,  I have bought it – it's not a gift and it's not on loan! Andrew Byatt, my mentor from the Trail Riders Fellowship, has thrown his crash helmet into the ring and will be completing the trip with me. 

Celebrities such as Michel Roux, Tom Kitchin and Lord Richards of Herstmonceux have been highly supportive and endorsed the cause. Their enthusiasm has been inspiring and motivating, especially during the setbacks. My friends have been a constant source of support for me and have rallied around to help plan the logistics and get some of the practical tasks accomplished. The trail riding community have been very patient and informative, providing advice and tips to help me.

The press and journalists have been generous in their coverage and this is making a huge difference to the cause. As I write this, it looks as if some of the Scottish landowners will open their gates, affording a very rare privilege indeed to ride through parts of Scotland that are seldom seen. Fingers are crossed on this one!

This is a challenge which has a central mission: to raise money to fund our wounded service personnel, and take them on a life-changing journey across America on Route 66 on the back of a Harley–Davidson. Our wounded are a unique brave group of people who have given so much and they deserve our support. So please give generously and help to make this amazing once in a lifetime journey happen for them.

Carla x