Covid quarantine rules force Phil to switch to ‘staycation’ charity ride
Cycling brothers Phil and Rob Aitken are determined that a charity cycle ride in support of the #Lincs2025 Festival won’t be thwarted by continuing Covid regulations.
What had been planned as a supported ride to Paris then became unsupported, and now has been switched to a ride of similar length – without leaving our shores, and thus avoiding the need for a 14-day quarantine when they got back.
There’s just over a week before Phil Aitken, of Industry Lodge in Scunthorpe, and his brother Rob head off on their first Festival Challenge ride.
Phil takes up the story, explains what the 270-mile ride now looks like – and reminds us of the sponsorship opportunities. He said: “This initial Cycling Challenge was originally cycling from London to Paris, but following the issues with Covid-19, it became an unsupported ride between Calais, Paris and Dieppe.
“This has now also been thwarted with the introduction of the need to quarantine on return from France, so yet another alternative ride has been organised, and put the Calais – Paris – Dieppe route on hold for next year. The new plan is also unsupported and is a two-country Coast to Coast ride with a difference.
Day 1 – Train to Lancaster then ride to Morecambe, and back to Lancaster for an overnight stay. 20 miles.
Day 2 – Lancaster to Penrith, via Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedburgh, Tebay, Shap before finally arriving in Penrith – 55 miles.
Day 3 – Penrith to Moffatt via Dalston, Carlisle, then over the border into Scotland to Gretna, across to Annan then onward to Moffatt – 72 miles!
Day 4 – Moffatt to Edinburgh with a hilly start but via some wonderful countryside, and amazing views – 52 miles!
Day 5 – Edinburgh to Duns via Musselburgh, Dunbar and Cockburnspath before heading south over the hills before arriving at Duns. 53 Miles
Day 6 – Duns to Berwick via the scenic route, crossing the border between Scotland and England several times before arriving at Berwick to catch the train home! Only 20 miles, but a beautiful ride.
“The total mileage is around 270, with lots of hills to keep us occupied!”
You can donate by either following the link to the Everydayhero page ->https://e0151.everydayhero.com/uk/the-london-to-paris-challenge Or by contacting Phil direct on p.aitken2@ntlworld.com or 07747 622989 to arrange payment direct.
Phil adds: “Please give generously – we all know how wonderful the MCF is and Lincolnshire has benefitted greatly from this excellent charity.”
