Slimy tubes and stamina keep Ann on the road

A 20-year old Dawes cycle with puncture-proof ‘slimy tubes’ got Ann Lyon from Plymouth to London in just five days to raise funds for Veterans Aid. She cycled into the forecourt of The Guards Museum after her 260-mile trip to a warm welcome from representatives of the charity and museum Curator Andrew Wallis who is one of its trustees. Ann arrived full of praise for her trusty old bicycle and the self-repairing inner tubes that stopped her worrying about punctures.

VA fundraiser Col Geoffrey Cardozo who met Ann at the museum said “We’re touched and delighted by Ann’s wonderful gesture – and full of admiration because this was no easy option; she will have worked hard for every penny raised.” The law lecturer from Plymouth had already offered her professional services to Veterans Aid but wanted to do something more tangible. She left the Royal Citadel, in Plymouth at 6.30am and broke her journey for overnight stays along the way at guesthouses or military units. Breakfast on Day One was provided by 29 Commando and her last night was spent at the Officers Mess in Windsor.

“The hardest part was crossing Dartmoor” she recalled, “not only was it the first day but it was very hot. My gears were not working too well by the time I got to Crediton so I called into a bike shop. The owner not only sorted out my bicycle but recommended a wonderful B&B in Tiverton.” Day Two ended uneventfully at Warminster but by the start of Day Three the ‘the weather’ had arrived and a steady downpour did its best to dampen her spirits. “But I had this wonderful clothing that dried out in no time and was actually quite warm while I was cycling” she explained. “L/Sgt Hogan greeted me at Windsor where I cleaned up and dried off and I spent the night in the Officers Mess there.”

Ann’s ride was monitored on VA’s Facebook page and received many ‘thumbs up’ and ‘We like’ messages from followers. She doesn’t know how much her efforts have raised yet but every penny will be put to good use. A true friend to VA Ann ran a stall for the charity in Plymouth on Armed Forces Day – supported with T-shirts, literature and other items from head office – and raised £114. Her interest in VA was sparked by an article in The Telegraph Magazine ( www.veterans-aid.net/news-soldierspfmisfortune.html ) a few years ago and she has supported it ever since, initially offering her legal skills then opting to so something a bit more physical!

When not pounding the pedals to raise funds Ann is a lecturer in law at Plymouth University but she also has strong military connections: “My dad was in the RAF, I was in the university OTC and 6RRF as a Reservist and am now with the Plymouth and Cornwall Wing of the Air Cadets. In fact I’m already planning my next ride, which may be ‘beating the bounds’ of the wing area.”

Ann’s ride was made easier by the support she got from the wider ‘military family’ and she extends a special thanks to the City Chiropractic Clinic in Plymouth for preparing her bike, SSgt Phil Harley of 29 Commando for organising her departure, ‘Cogs’ bike chop in Plymouth, the bike shop in Crediton that applied ‘first aid’ when adjustments were needed, Kevin Tuhey who fed and watered her in Taunton, the wonderful ‘man in the pub’ in Newbury who sourced a B&B when Newbury was full of race-goers, the Irish Guards at Windsor and – last but not least – the kind Big issue seller who looked after her bike at Paddington Station while she went for a much-needed McDonalds!