Two members of staff from Paignton Zoo Environmental Park have completed their charity bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats.
Visitor Services Manager Izzy Warren and Membership Coordinator Justin Fuller completed the one thousand mile ride in 15 days. They left Land's End on Thursday 5th June - World Environment Day - and arrived at John O'Groats on Thursday 19th June, during Bike Week.
In total they spent 85 hours in the saddle. Their longest day was day 5, when they spent 7 hours and 9 minutes on the road. Their highest mileage was on day 14, when they clocked up over 85 miles.
Zoo visitors and sponsors followed their progress on the Paignton Zoo web site, www.paigntonzoo.org.uk. The pair kept a bike blog and updated colleagues every day. They also took a crocodile puppet with them and snapped regular photos with it to mark their progress.
They pedalled the country end to end to raise money for Paignton Zoo and the Devon Air Ambulance. They have raised over £1,000 and money is still coming in.
Justin said: "At times the weather was very hot. It was energy sapping. We didn't have any rain until near the end of the ride. It was hard work but a wonderful experience!"
Izzy said: "We got our first puncture of the trip near Keswick. Friday 13th was not unlucky at all - it was the day we crossed into Scotland and hit the 600 mile mark. 'Phone calls, texts and photos from family and friends kept us going. On the last morning we had rain, sun, wind, black cloud and hail, but we made it!"
They arrived at John O'Groats at 12:50pm to official photos and an interview on the local radio station.
Justin: "We are absolutely delighted - thank you to everyone who supported us and helped us out along the way. A special thanks to everyone at Paignton Zoo - staff, volunteers, members and visitors. We got sore legs, aching knees, sun burn - and Izzy developed blisters on her bottom lip - but it was brilliant!"
Further information
Paignton Zoo is a member of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. For further information please telephone 020 7449 6351.
Philip Knowling
Press Officer
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park & Living Coasts
Totnes Road
Paignton
Devon
TQ4 7EU
Telephone: 01803 697568
Fax: 01803 523457
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
www.livingcoasts.org.uk
