Thakeham councillor to cycle on the trail of Olympians

JPCT 160714 S14291233x Penny Bullimore, Thakeham Parish councillor is cycling a 100 mile round trip from London to Surrey and back for Oxfam. -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140716-123710001

Penny Bullimore, a member of Thakeham Parish Council, will retrace the route of the Olympic cyclists of 2012 in the RideLondon-Surrey 100 event.

Penny, who is also a member of Horsham Cycling Club, is doing it to raise money for Oxfam. She said: “I do love cycling. I used to live in Surrey and I know a lot of areas.

“I will be going past the place I worked, where I got married - things that mean a lot to me. Richmond Park is where I used to do my running. It will be great to be a part of it.”

Penny is no stranger to sporting challenges.

The 65-year-old said: “I’ve done a few 60s. A friend of mine and I go out once a week trying to build up the miles. Yesterday we went to Henfield.

“We’ve done 68 miles. It’s how you feel afterwards. You feel ‘yes, I could do another 30’. I’ve done a few marathons and triathlons - running, cycling, swimming. I do prefer the cycling. I think it’s in built.

“My mother’s father and dad’s father both met their wives out cycling. My mother’s dad was a CTC member.Cycling is very much in the family.”

More than 20,000 cyclists are expected to take in the challenge on Sunday August 10. The route starts in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London and then follows a 100-mile route on closed roads through London into the Surrey countryside.

After leaving the Olympic park, they will go through the City of London and City of Westminster and then cross the Thames at Chiswick towards Richmond-upon- Thames.

After Walton-on-Thames, they head through Surrey Hills taking in the sights of Leith Hill, Box Hill and Headley Heath.

The cyclists will take a different route back to London heading towards Kingston, Wimbledon and Putney.

The grand finale is the parade down The Mall.

Minutes after the amateur cyclists arrive, about 150 of the world’s top cyclists will follow them, having cycled a slightly different route through Surrey.

Penny is hoping to raise £500. She said: “It’s one that everyone knows about. Whenever there’s trouble and people need help, they are always there.

“It will pay for one of those sterilising units to prevent people getting illnesses.”

To sponsor Penny go to www.justgiving.com/penny-bullimore1