Matt Smith
Born in Great Yarmouth, I have spent a large proportion of my life living in the area.  I am very lucky to have a close and supportive family, which is one of the reasons why I have chosen to do this challenging ride.  My dad, Tony Smith, the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, is very passionate about making a difference for the better in the Borough of Great Yarmouth, and through the Mayors Charity I feel that I can support him in doing this.

I currently live in Martham, which is the base for the majority of my training schedule – which mostly involves cycling around the Gt Yarmouth area and occasionally riding home from work in Norwich.  I find cycling fun and it gives me a big buzz after completing a ride, however this charity ride is so much bigger than anything I have ever undertaken and will be one to remember for many years.  Hopefully, we will get to take in a lot of the scenery.

I hope that our efforts can boost the Great Yarmouth Mayors Charity fund and assist all of the good causes that benefit our local community.  However big or small your donation is, it will help, so please give and give generously!

James Anderson
I’ve always enjoyed my physical exercise, and so when Matt voiced his thoughts about doing this ride for charity I jumped at the chance.  The idea quickly developed into including mainland England’s most westerly and most easterly points – which made it sound like a challenge.

After a decade without a bike I bought one to help with rowing training as both sports predominantly use the same muscles.  From there I’ve got hooked on cycling.

April could be a tricky month to tackle this adventure as the weather is so unpredictable at this time of year.  Being Northern adverse weather conditions don’t bother me – obviously – it’s the others I’m worried for.

My training for this adventure has consisted of the rides with the other guys, and also my daily work commute from Brundall to Norwich and back.  If this doesn’t prove enough, then I’ll just switch to my Plan B which is to slipstream the other guys all the way back.

Lucy Anderson
I like Norfolk.  It’s flat.  The thing about other places is, they’re not.  Devon and Cornwall are particularly unflat.  It worries me.  I did a ride round Essex last year and couldn’t walk for a week after because of the “hills”.  Norfolk is not a good place to train.

Still, at least we’ve had a mild winter so been able to get the miles in…

2 weeks ago (mid Feb) I got on my bike for the first time since last November.  I’m really not sure this is such a good idea.

Well, about me.  I suppose something’s needed in case I don’t come home – there should be some memorial of me.  I’m Welsh but please don’t hold it against me.  I moved to Norfolk almost 10 years ago when got a job with Norwich Union.  I like trying new things. (James calls me whimsical.)  Since in Norfolk I’ve tried sailing, windsurfing, ceroc dance, rowing, ice skating and now cycling.  This one’s getting a bit serious.  I blame Matt.

I met Matt through James. We all go to pub quiz together, drink beer and eat scampi fries. (OK, so I eat the scampi fries.)  Matt’s a special guy and I’m very happy to be a supporting him on the ride.  I just hope I don’t slow everyone down too much.  Still it’ll be more embarrassing for them if they are slower than a girl – hmmm, maybe I will get a practice ride or two in…

Neil Baker
I’ve been a cyclist and cycling fan for many years, and was very excited about the ride. Unfortunately my organisational skills don’t match my enthusiasm, and all the excitement couldn’t stop me oversleeping for the very first training ride.  To give myself a little more of a challenge I’m tackling this ride on a 1973 bespoke sprinters’ bike which I plan to rebuild myself.  Without a bike it’s a little hard getting the training miles in at the moment – but I’m not worried.  I have tried tandeming it with Lucy, but let’s just say that the experience has given me more of an incentive to get my own bike sorted out.

Paul McGregor
I just thought I’d come along for the ride!…

I’ve been preparing for this ride by resistance training through the winter.   Bike maintainence can be a little tiresome, and so rather than get my back wheel spinning smoothly I’m of the opinion that training with a back wheel that rubs is doing me a favour in the long run.