Cyclists complete coast to coast trek

9:40pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

THE leafy lanes of rural France normally beckon when cycling-mad couple Margaret and Stuart Simpson plan their summer holiday.

But this year they decided to forego the pleasures of foreign shores in favour of a British coast to coast adventure.

The couple completed the 165-mile bike ride from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in five days, riding in aid of Bolton women’s refuge Fortalice.

They were joined on the challenge by friend Don Gerrard and his wife Gaye — one of the founders of Fortalice — who rode behind the trio in a support car.

After finishing the challenge, Mrs Simpson, a 67-year-old retired school teacher, of Kingwood Avenue, Heaton, discovered that she was the oldest woman cyclist to have officially completed the route.

Friends, family and neighbours sponsored the Simpsons to do the journey, helping them to raise £1,700 for Fortalice. The money will be used to boost the charity’s children’s fund.

Mr Simpson, aged 68, a retired yarn agent, said: “As soon as we said it was for Fortalice, people gave willingly.”