An Epic Journey to Land's End

Pam Faulkner was inspired to do a woman’s charity ride after a customer came into Green Bay Cycles in Winnetka which she owns with her husband Larry, to buy a bike for her trip to Kenya.  Before the woman left the shop with her new bike, Pam had registered online for a trip of her own to Kenya.  She enjoyed it so much she signed up for another charity ride in China before her most recent trip in Sept. 2017 that started in John O'Groats (the far northeastern tip of mainland Scotland) and ended at Land's End (the far southwestern tip of Cornwall).  The 2017 trip was the topic of her presentation at the Evanston Bicycle Club meeting on Nov. 20. ​

---

The Women V Cancer trip to Land’s End by the numbers:

• 1021 miles in 12 days; no rest days
• 60,000 feet of elevation (hilly!)
• Route was north to south
• In the saddle 8-15 hours per day
• Group size was 37 women at the start with an age range from 40 to 67, mostly British citizens
• Raised $500,000 for cancer research

Pam’s training for the trip was an 18 month process including losing 70 pounds, riding any hills she could find on the north shore, and 300—400 miles on her bike per week.  She practiced maintaining her own bike with a multi tool and a pedal wrench including completely reassembling her bike that was taken apart by the mechanics of Green Bay Cycles. 
​
Pam believes that there is no better way to see a country than by bike.  According to the photos that she shared, the scenery in the rural areas and small towns in Scotland and Cornwall was beautiful, although many of the days of the trip was rainy, foggy, cloudy, and they rode long into the dark.  At many of the rest stops the cyclists were served cake and tea with many outstanding presentations and warm hospitality from the locals.    

As a group of cyclists ourselves many of us have embarked on epic rides of our own, but Pam’s achievement in terms of miles ridden and terrain was at the top end of most of us have undertaken.   Many of us will be reflecting on her presentation for a long time to come.