TWO women from Clevedon are undertaking an extreme cycling challenge overseas for charity.

Joanne Honeywell and Kathy Lee will cycle 400 kilometres from Vietnam to Cambodia, starting at the end of November.

The challenging cycle will take 12 days and will see the fundraising duo traversing two countries, passing through many traditional Vietnamese villages, following streams and rivers, paddy fields and stunning mountains.

Any funds raised will go to two charities: Breast Cancer Now and Ovarian Cancer Action. To find out more, go to: https://bit.ly/4eOUwlV

Speaking about the challenge, Jo said: "Kathy picked me as her cycling partner to take on this challenge when were at the gym at Cadbury House. We wanted to raise money for cancer charities; Kathy herself has had bowel cancer.”

The fundraising pair are undertaking the challenge along with 28 other keen cyclists, organised through Open Challenges. Prior to the challenge, neither Jo or Kathy were cyclists. Jo, a retired midwife, has since been making use of her mountain bike, along with Kathy, who has found time to train while working for Somerset Care.  

She added: “We’ve been training for months, and our routine includes a body pump and three hours of exercise each day. We’ve also been regularly cycling a circular route around the Strawberry Line which is around 32 miles, and have even done a Pier to Pier down to Weston-super-Mare. Kathy has also been on her bike around Cheddar and Kingston Seymour.”

So far, Jo and Kathy have raised more than £1,800 for the two charities. Jo reflects that “some people are really generous”, with donations of over £100 supporting the pair’s fundraising efforts.

The pair will return to the Clevedon on December 9, 2024. But before then, Jo admits the whole challenge is “a bit scary.” She added: “I’m a bit apprehensive. At the peak of the challenge, we can expect to cycle around 90 miles per day. Plus the climate over there is a bit humid and sticky!”