IT is a challenge he first completed more than 20 years ago.
Now a Hampshire man is set to get back in the saddle next month, for an epic charity cycle.
Jon Ashley, 59, tackled the gruelling 960-mile route from Land’s End to John O’Groats, back in 1988.
And now, 24 years on, he is teaming up with work colleague Kurt Milton, 31, to take on the marathon nine-day ride.
The duo, who work together at Pentalver, in Southampton Docks, hope to raise £10,000 for Cancer Research UK when they saddle up on Saturday.
Their inspiration came from friend Neil Barfoot, who is currently battling cancer, as well as Jon’s wife, Tina, who recently overcame the disease.
Father-of-three Jon, from Totton, said: “I was 35 when I did the ride before and it was horrendous. I rode half the journey completely on my own and I had a chunk ripped out of my leg after an accident.
“Kurt said he wanted to do it and asked if I wanted to join him. Stupidly, I said yes!”
The pair are now cycling up to 300 miles a week in preparation for the ride, having clocked up around 1,700 miles since April.
“My family think I’m too old for this now, but we are training like mad and we can’t wait to get going now.”
- To sponsor Jon and Kurt, visit justgiving.com/ronald-atwill.
