A cyclist from Bolton has saddled up for an adventure of a lifetime as she rides through Canada and US solo.

Lisa Entwistle is currently cycling in the Great Divide from Banff in Canada to New Mexico, which is 2,800 miles.

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is recognised as the world’s longest off-road mountain bike track.

Lisa said: “Having successfully dismantled and packed my bike with all of my gear into a cardboard box, I set off to the airport to catch my flight to Calgary, Canada, to attempt to cycle The Great Divide.

“I plan to do it in seven weeks totally unsupported, carrying everything on my bike.

The Bolton News:

“From filters to getting stream water to my tent and clothes.

“I am currently on trial.

“With an equal amount of excitement and trepidation I was both nervous and terrified about this adventure that has come around quickly.

“It seems like all the months of planning and preparation are now for real.

“The visa applications, training sessions, planned routes, tents, kit, food, knowledge, transport and excel spreadsheets.

“The preparation has been immense.”

Lisa had wanted to visit Banff – a resort in Canada – which is one of her bucket list places to go.

She added: “Banff to British Columbia are the toughest two days ever on a bike, but I’m doing it, no longer on the sofa dreaming about it.”

Lisa was not able to take some items on the plane that she needed, including bear spray, camping gas, bear lines, lighters, and food.

Whilst Lisa is enjoying the whole experience, she says she has found it particularly challenging cycling up some of the Canadian Rockies.

Lisa said: “The scenery has been absolutely mind blowing.

“Setting off in Banff I was super excited but very anxious, I had a rough plan on where I wanted to be each day, but also decided that it will depend on the weather and how my legs felt.

“Cycling through the first part of the Rockies reminded me a lot of cycling in the Pyrenees.

“They say that everything you have done and experienced in life is a lesson for the moment you are in right now.

“The only thing that got me through the last few days and no doubt the rest of this trip will be my time spent in the Pyrenees, cycling with Chorley and now Los Bandidos cycling clubs.”

Lisa has been taking part in the cycling challenge now for more than two weeks and some of her highlights have been all the different people she has met along the way.

She said: “This journey so far has really proven to me that there are good people in this world, kindness is shared and all around us.

“This year has been a hard year for me, but it has been a growth year.”

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.