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The
team
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map and daily targets
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Plans
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Your Comments and Questions &
Answers
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Cyclists:1. Gavin
Plews - Rotarian from Club, President for 2004-05. Keen
cyclist, used to cycle to work.
2. Kathy Hunter -
Rotarian from Club, Past President. Always keen on fitness.
3. Simon
Plews - Son of Gavin Plews
4. Derek Lewton - Former
Colleague of Gavin Plews from Mars (Masterfoods)
5. Jim Grufferty - Former
Colleague of Gavin Plews from Mars (Masterfoods)
6. John Shipley - A friend of
Gavin Plews from Prestwood
7. Erik Nauta
- A Dutch friend of Simon Plews. They met up in Australia and like a
challenge.
Supporting Team:
1. Alan Jones - Rotarian from
Club, Past President.
2. Belinda Plews - Daughter of
Gavin Plews
3. Mandy [replacing Steve Woodbridge - Boy friend of Belinda]
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Gavin
Plews: Recently retired as a Project Manager for Masterfoods
(Mars bars etc) and have become President of the Rotary Club of
Gt.Misssenden for the next 12 months. Looking for inspirational ideas to
raise money for charity - I hit upon the idea of cycling from Lands End
to John O'Groats, and have succeeded in persuading some friends,
relatives and colleagues to join me. It seemed a good idea at the time,
but with just a week to go I'm questioning my sanity, and so is my
bottom!
Two
of my three children are accompanying me either on the ride, or as
support vehicle driver.
My
interests include sailing and skiing, and I have been involved in
various organisations as school governor, scouts, residents association,
school parent teacher association over the years. My interest in Rotary
started about seven years ago when I realised what could be achieved by
so few, and just how fulfilling membership was to be on a personal
level.
My
wife Jenny, a nurse in the local community, is not looking forward to my
almost 3 week absence, but declined the offer to join us on the ride!
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Kathy Hunter: I live in Little Kingshill and have been a
member of Great Missenden Rotary for seven years: having been Club
President in 2000, I was keen to support Gavin in his year as
President.
I
enjoy a physical challenge so agreed without hesitation when Gavin
invited me to do the cycle. I have to say that I have hesitated
quite a bit about that agreement since then!
I
have a young daughter and have supported the NSPCC personally
before, so the choice of charity appealed to me - as youngsters
cannot have too many places to turn if they are at risk, in danger
or scared. Our work within Rotary shows us this aspect of our own
communities on many occasions - so I feel it is up to us to act to
change this where we can.
I
work part-time as a Fitness Instructor - working with the local
Leisure centres and also within the NHS, my particular areas of
interest being the provision of exercise opportunities within
areas such as Mental Health and other specialised groups.
This
has been no small undertaking for me - just the logistics of
trying to train , work and balance family responsibilities has
been a challenge! I am still very nervous about certain aspects of
the ride but once we get going, I am sure the adventure will be a
great one - it certainly will be a fantastic way to see the
countryside!
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Simon
Plews: I'm 24 years old and I live and work in
High Wycombe. I'm currently employed by Software Spectrum, who
are based in the Peregrine Business Park on Gomm Road, and who are
kindly sponsoring me £500 and supplying the team with T-shirts and
water bottles for the ride.
Having
recently returned from a year-long round the world trip, it was only
going to be a matter of time before my cravings for adventure kicked
in again! So when Dad told me that he was planning this voyage I leapt
at the chance and signed up straight away. Coincidentally, I had been
speaking to my Dutch friend, Erik, whilst in Australia about the
possibility of arranging some kind of adventure when we got
back to help adjust back to normal life! As soon as I heard about this
opportunity I got in touch with Erik and sold the idea to him...and he
hasn't forgiven me since!
I've
always been the type of person that would be outside playing on my
bike/skateboard/up a tree or whatever, but have never had real
goals in any of the above activities. For me, the cycle ride not only
presented us with a good opportunity to raise money for a good cause
(all of the proceeds go to the NSPCC), but also presented
me with a personal challenge, not only in completing the ride, but in
fitting the intense training schedule into everyday working life. Having
something to aim for has really motivated me - both to get fit and
in other areas of my life too. I'm glad I'm part of this ride and
pleased that we are raising money and awareness of an important charity.
This is just the first of many exciting adventures to come - suggestions
welcome!'
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Derek
Lewton: I worked at Masterfoods for 25 years in R & D and
Commercial, where I was involved with several projects with Gavin.
I also worked on the start of the Masterfoods’ ice cream
factory in France for three years, an exciting time for all of the
family including the birth of my daughter.
I
have always wanted to do the Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride,
but working was always a convenient reason to put it off.
My retirement in April 04 fitted perfectly with Gavin’s planned
ride, and I was quite happy to be persuaded.
It also assuages the envy I have for my two sons who are both
doing exciting activities in their gap years from study.
Commitment
was somewhat challenged on those training days when the rain was
horizontal, but on balmy days it has been a joy to be out in the
Chiltern countryside where I live.
My
other interests include skiing, tropical fish, and DIY.
My wife Jean teaches at the local primary school, and will enjoy
the peacefulness of her gardening during the school holidays whilst I am
away.
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Jim Grufferty: Born in Epsom Surrey
in 1944, brought up in Co Cork in Ireland. Since graduating from UCC in
1966 I have worked in various parts of the UK before joining Mars as an
Electrical Design Engineer where I met and worked
with Gavin.
I retired in May 04 after thirty one
years. Have always
been into sport and exercise - boxing and rugby in my youth, then
running in the 80’s. Ran the London marathon three times with lots of
half -marathons etc.
Biking has always been
there since school days in Ireland and this ride has always been an
ambition. So, over a few pints with Gavin last year it seemed like a
good idea! We shall see, should have more sense now at my age. Training
has gone well and I can recommend it for losing weight, back to my
marathon weights.
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John Shipley:
The last time I did a 1,000
mile-trip on my bike, it took three weeks and I was 15 years old -
forty-five years later I have to wonder at my sanity!!
I’ve always enjoyed
cycling and as a teenager in the late 1950’s / early 60’s I spent
much of my free time riding, both locally around my home town of Bristol
as well as further away during the holidays to Wales, IoW, Ireland etc.
However college, career and family soon filled my time and although I
managed the occasional ride, it was not until I retired a few years ago
that I decided to start cycling again on a regular / more serious basis.
I worked in the IT
industry for 35 years and travelled a great deal – something I very
much enjoyed, but fortunately it never necessitated a permanent move so
I have been able to have a stable home in the Chilterns for 30 years
with my wife and family.
Now I’m retired.
Apart from cycling, I’m able to pursue my other hobbies – walking,
archaeology, family history, golf, etc – no time for all the jobs I
promised to do! The Chiltern Society has a cycling group and we meet
every Tuesday for an off-road or on-road ride, finishing at a pub to put
back all the good we might have done. I support Sustrans – the organisation responsible for the National
Cycle Network – and as a Ranger in waiting, I’m waiting for the
Princes Risborough to High Wycombe section to be signed.
I’m looking forward
to the challenge of riding from Land’s End to John O’ Groats with a
mixture of anticipation and trepidation – but I’m sure as a team
we’ll make it.
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Erik
Nauta: I am 34 yrs old. Raised on an island which I currently
use to practise. From Haarlem where I live I now cycle every weekend a
return to and from the island. It's about 60miles one way.
'Professionally,
I'm a financial advisor. I assist people with mortgages - look for
proper banks and arrange all the necassary things. I also help them in
actually buying the house occassionally.Especially the English people
who find everything a maze in Holland (and they're right).
My
motivation to do this ride is because I once saw in a magazine that this
trip exists and when I met Simon in Aussie he said he will do it some
day. So mix this and it was quite easy to bite the ' bate'. I'm ready to
go, my bike is done and I'm very curious how I will feel after we have
done this challange.
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