On 1^st June the residents of four Leonard Cheshire care homes set off on the virtual equivalent of the epic Route 66 journey coast to coast across the USA from Chicago on the East Coast to California on the West Coast – some 3940km!

The homes involved in the cycle challenge are:
Gloucestershire House, Cheltenham; Symonds House, Hitchin; Fryers House, Romsey and St Bridget’s, Rustington.

The idea has come from Dave Evans, resident at Gloucestershire House, following the success earlier in the year of the care home’s first virtual Land’s End to John O’ Groats challenge following the same principles.

This time residents from the four Leonard Cheshire homes have joined together to form a virtual team and they are recording the distances that they achieve using both static and accessible cycles.  Along the route they are pointing out famous landmarks and places of interest, creating a visual record to be shared widely for display and a distance tally too.

The project has aimed to provide mental and physical health benefits to participants experienced through the joy of cycling - achieving fitness goals and helping to overcome feelings of isolation, something which has proved increasingly challenging during lockdown. The project provides a boost to morale, the iconic route selected has been the talk of the town, the teamsmanship has been a great motivational force and friendships and connections have been formed around the country.

Probably the best aim of this challenge is to complete it in time to celebrate a unique and virtual Thanksgiving party across the four care homes!

Funds raised through the challenge will contribute to the purchase of cycling equipment for the homes involved so that in future more participants may experience the benefits of cycling.

Thank you for your support!

We are Leonard Cheshire - supporting individuals to live, learn and work as independently as they choose, whatever their ability. Led by people with experience of disability, we are at the heart of local life - opening doors to opportunity, choice and support in communities around the globe. Leading by example, we do everything humanly possible to empower people to live their lives a freely and as fully as they choose.