When I am a grandma,

I want to be like them. . .

Here is the fundraiser page http://www.justgiving.com/pedallingpen


From www.cyclingnews.com

Grandmothers cycle for charity
Two Scottish grandmothers are preparing for a 10,000 km charity cycling ride across Canada. Penny Weir, 70, from Aviemore, and Mavis Paterson, 69, from Dumfries and Galloway, plan the trip to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, according to the BBC.

The women met 16 years ago after Ms Weir heard Ms Paterson on the radio, talking about a 8,000-mile cycle she had completed. Since then, the pair has been on a number of cycle rides together, but none of them were as challenging as their Canadian trip in May, during which they will be sleeping in tents.

"A lot of people tell us that we're crazy and maybe we are - but I think everyone needs a goal and this is ours," said Ms Paterson. "I'll still be doing trips like this in 20 years if I have my health - I don't really think we're doing anything special. Anyone could do it - it's just down to sheer willpower, stubbornness and discipline - and a desire to raise money for a great cause."

The grandmothers will set off from Vancouver, Western Canada, on May 18, and hope to finish in New Foundland in September.

From Backpackguide.wordpress.com

That Time Of Your Life
21 March, 2008 at 16:14 | In News, Travel |
Tags: Canada, charity, Gap year, Macmillian, Newfoundland, Vancouver

Who said you have to be between 18 and 21 to go off on a gap year? It’s becoming more common for 40 year olds to go off on their own trip. Maybe they’re hitting their mid-life crisis and want to do something more progressive with it than just buying a motorbike.

But you can even be drawing your pension and still head off on your travels (well, you might need more than your pension!). Penny Weir and Mavis Paterson will both be 70 when they mid-way through their 8,000 mile cycle across Canada.

The two Scottish pensioners will be off in May raising money for Macmillian Cancer Support. They expect to take 4 months to cross the country, starting in Vancouver and finishing in Newfoundland.

Penny’s definitely looking forward to it, despite being told that she’s crazy:

“I’ve been telling everyone I know that I’m off to have a gap year. I know most people have them at 17 and not 70, but I think we’ll have a great time. It’s a very long way to go, and we’ll be facing wind, snow and rain, but it will be worth it.”

The two grandmothers first met when Mavis was discussing the idea of mammoth cycle rides over 16 years ago on radio. When they’re not cycling they’ll be spending nights in tents which they’ll be carrying on their bikes.

Here’s wishing the pair the best of luck, and full information when they’ve set off in two months time.

Wow - very impressive; thanks for the link as I intend to $upport them. It'd be great if any TE'ers donate, that we mention our TE connection...go, grannies, go!

Super...feat..when they complete that trip. It's a great way for any visitor to experience Canada's magnificence.

Sounds like some circuitous route across Canada....10,000 kms. means taking some routes that are not totally direct or off to see something else. I've known several people personally who have cycled across Canada. And one of them is a grandmother, who immediately after retirement (from nursing), at 65, she cycled from Vancouver to Newfoundland. About 2,000 out of her 6,000 kms. trip was with another woman. I believe she started off in June and ended in late August.

My partner has cycled twice across the continent. lst trip was from Vancouver to Toronto 4,300 kms. in 45 days during year of 9-1-1. He barely did sight-seeing. 2nd trip he ended up winding down into the U.S. down california coast up to Vancouver. That was 9,000 kms. in 3+ months.

So 10,000 kms. sounds like one heck of journey to see way more things along the way. Maybe they are going to the Yukon or Labrador...