A KEEN cyclist is preparing to ride almost a thousand miles across the county for a children’s writing charity.
Greg Nay, 41, from Epping Green, will cycle from Land’s End to John O’ Groats to raise cash for The Ministry of Stories.
Mr Nay, who works as a postman in Woodford Green, volunteers for the charity and is hoping to raise £5,000 for the organisation, which helps youngsters write stories, create books, podcasts and plays.
He is taking on the event on October 4 and will be riding 980 miles in five days, which works out as about 200 miles each day.
He said: “I am a keen cyclist and was looking for a new challenge and the Land’s End to John O’ Groats ride is the quintessential British cycling challenge.
“I wanted to do it for the charity to help spur me on a bit and have been volunteering for the charity since long before the Covid pandemic.
“The charity runs workshops for children in Hackney and helps them create stories, usually with a theme such as monsters, and shows them how they can be creative and do something they can be proud of.
“It also helps to boost their confidence and the charity also runs after school workshops too. I’ve been training since about February, weather permitting. The last big ride was 246 miles in 16 hours to Whitby.
“It was a real test and the winds were the biggest battle but it was also a very good experience and I was ok after the 200 mile mark, which is what I will be doing each day.”
He’s been training about four times a week and does shorter rides in the week and longer cycling periods on the weekends.
The postman is planning to book a number of bed and breakfasts and hotels to stay in and meet his wife at the end of each day as part of the trek.
He added: “The charity is donation-based so every little bit helps to cover all sorts of costs including pencils and pens.
“The organisation is supporting me and planning to providing a story for each day and a flag to wave on the finish line.”
To donate see https://ministryofstories.enthuse.com/pf/greg-nay-e0ce6 and follow Greg's journey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/graphiccoffee/