On bike across South Africa (From Witney Gazette)

On bike across South Africa

1:40pm Saturday 3rd October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

THE owner of a Witney hairdressers is planning to ride across South Africa, despite never being on a motorbike in her life.

Lucie Eadon plans to learn to ride on and off-road in time for the challenge in October next year. She has the support of her colleagues at Curl up and Dye, in Wesley Walk, who will be taking part in a skydive in March to help her towards her fundraising goal of £5,000. Money raised will support African-based charities.

Miss Eadon, from Shipton-under-Wychwood, said: “I haven’t done anything challenging before.

“I saw this advertised, and I couldn’t get it out of my head for two weeks. Ever since I was 15, I had always wanted to ride a motorbike.”

The 31-year-old said that the trip would be a double challenge, because she was knocked over by a car four years ago.

She said: “I had my neck broken and it affected my confidence driving.

“It’s a culmination of fighting my fears and helping good charities.”

Princes William and Harry both completed the same gruelling challenge — organised by Enduro Africa — in 2008.

Participants must ride 1,500km across South Africa’s Wild Coast, some of the country’s roughest terrain, for eight days.

Miss Eadon said: “There will be 100 people of mixed abilities. Some of those guys have a lot of on-road experience, whereas for me learning to ride is the challenge.

“I think the raising money bit will be quite easy. It’s actually riding the bike that will stump me.

“But I am looking forward to it.”

Miss Eadon, who also works as a theatre actress, plans to fundraise over the next year to reach her £5,000 goal, which includes organising a music festival, a bikini car wash, and big screen film nights.

Miss Eadon, who owns the hair salon with partner Luke Meader, has enlisted the help of Dave Grover, from Quick Start, who has donated motorbike lessons, and personal trainer Gaynor Mitchell, who will get her fit for the ride.

To follow Miss Eadon’s progress, visit lucieeadon.co.uk

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)