A Wirral teenager is on the verge of beginning a remarkable journey which will take him from Blackpool Tower, all the way to the Eiffel Tower in just six days – on his bike.
Adam Woods, from Wallasey, is undertaking the mammoth 560-mile cycle in order to raise money for Dementia UK, and his attempt is set to begin this March.
His fundraising feats have already been impressive, as Adam managed to complete the 2012 Liverpool Marathon just two days after his father suddenly died.
Speaking to JMU Journalism, the 19-year-old said: “To be honest, it has come around so quickly that I haven’t even had time to think too much about it. The thought of cycling 560 miles to Paris is beginning to scare me a bit, but at the same time, I’m really excited about the whole adventure.
“I just want to make a difference in people’s lives”, he said.
The teenager, who currently works for a business administration company, has been in intensive training in preparation for the mammoth cycle.
“The cycle will involve riding 90 miles a day, and I think it’s going to push me both physically and mentally. I am due to stay in hotels each night, so if I don’t stay on track, I could be cycling until all hours of the morning.
“I am preparing myself by keeping my cardio training high, such as doing a lot of running and even swimming to improve my leg power. Most weekends, I’m doing 90-mile cycles to Chester and Wales also so I feel I’m ready”, he said.
If the cycle wasn’t enough, the inspirational youngster is also set to run 30 marathons in 35 days, beginning in October this year, also to raise money for the charity – one which he feels isn’t noticed enough.
“I simply found a charity that I feel doesn’t receive enough money, and at the same time, one which I care deeply for. If I’m totally honest, I want to get the cycle out of the way before I begin thinking about the 30 marathons. I genuinely don’t know whether I will be able to physically complete it, and I’m worried about that, but I have until October to prepare myself.
“I just hope that with it being such a big challenge, people will take notice and hopefully donate to what is such a good cause and one the affects thousands of families”, he said.
You can help by donating money to Dementia UK on Adam’s page https://www.justgiving.com/Adam-woods11