Blog Post
July 2025
Gear Up Inspiring Stories – Maureen
My dad became unwell in February after a slow decline in health and is now not allowed to drive. As I don’t drive myself, I got a loan of an e-bike from Gear Up through Thornton Road Community Centre to help visit my dad and take him anything he needs.
Having the bike is an absolute godsend as buses are few and far between and very costly! It also means I can jump on it whenever my dad phones for help.
I started doing virtual challenges during the first lockdown as a motivation for exercise - I’ve done about a dozen of them, all walking challenges up until now.
As I am using the bike so often, I thought I’d look at doing a longer challenge. I picked the Appalachian Trail, which is 2077 miles, and have given myself a target of 1 year to complete it. This works out at around 5 miles a day.
The Appalachian Trail is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States, between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It passes through 14 states.
I am using Conqueror Challenges to track my progress; they donate toward planting a tree or stopping 10 bottles from entering the ocean for every 20% of the challenge you complete.
So far, I have completed 626.80 miles in 57 days, so I’m well within my target.
I now look for any excuse to jump on the bike.
Gear Up Inspiring Stories – Maureen
My dad became unwell in February after a slow decline in health and is now not allowed to drive. As I don’t drive myself, I got a loan of an e-bike from Gear Up through Thornton Road Community Centre to help visit my dad and take him anything he needs.
Having the bike is an absolute godsend as buses are few and far between and very costly! It also means I can jump on it whenever my dad phones for help.
I started doing virtual challenges during the first lockdown as a motivation for exercise - I’ve done about a dozen of them, all walking challenges up until now.
As I am using the bike so often, I thought I’d look at doing a longer challenge. I picked the Appalachian Trail, which is 2077 miles, and have given myself a target of 1 year to complete it. This works out at around 5 miles a day.
The Appalachian Trail is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States, between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It passes through 14 states.
I am using Conqueror Challenges to track my progress; they donate toward planting a tree or stopping 10 bottles from entering the ocean for every 20% of the challenge you complete.
So far, I have completed 626.80 miles in 57 days, so I’m well within my target.
I now look for any excuse to jump on the bike.
