ON A trusty tandem named Bonnie, a Chelmsford couple travelled 700 miles across the country to raise cash for sufferers of Motor Neurone disease.
Pat and Will Head rode together from Chelmsford to Land's End – and back again on their bicycle made for two, battling the hills of Devon, the traffic of central London, and the wilds of Dartmoor to raise hundreds for the charity.
"Ten years ago both myself and Will cycled on a tandem from Land's End to John O'Groats and with the anniversary approaching we both wanted to take on another tour," said Pat.
"We didn't have the opportunity to train for the full End to End again so Will suggested we start and finish in Chelmsford, and as I have been volunteering for the Motor Neurone charity for around a year we agreed to raise money for them at the same time."
The couple's love affair with the tandem began on their honeymoon in Venice 11 years ago where a nervous Pat was reassured by cycling with her husband as her 'captain' – the term for the leading cyclist.
"A few years before I had suffered an accident while riding a bike which became caught in between two tram lines so I was a little frightened," said the retired social worker.
"So while in Venice we rented the tandem, it was my first experience of one so I was a little scared but it turned out fine and since then we've cycled around Northern France, as well as completing the End to End.
"We left Chelmsford for this tour on August 4 and we did the journey on our own, carrying all our tools, spare clothing and the emergency food supplies," added Pat, who has been married to semi-retired Will for 11 years.
"The hills of Devon and Cornwall were very challenging, not to mention the traffic of central London which was horrendous; we must have stopped 60 times."
Now recovering back at their flat in Wood Street, Chelmsford, the couple are still hoping to add to their fundraising total and reach a goal of £1,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
To sponsor Will and Pat, or for more information on the charity, visit www.justgiving.com/pat-headifanyone.
