Farming Matters: Fabulous young farmers are cycling to the seaside

Five intrepid Buckinghamshire young farmers are currently training for a 24 hour 200 mile cycle challenge from Winslow to Blackpool to raise money for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The fact that they will arrive in the seaside town the night before the national Young Farmers Club annual conference in May doesn’t faze them.

One of the team members, Alan Burborough, a 23-year-old farmworker, said: “We’ll just crack on, there’ll be no time for recovery.

“We don’t mind, that’s all part of the fun.We couldn’t get any more time off work!”

The team, four farmworkers and a mechanic, bought bikes in November but training has been sporadic.

Alan said: “Farming can be very busy so training has been a bit here and there. A couple of us have done some 70 mile routes and four of us have indoor bike trainers and get on in the evenings.”

The boys chose their challenege to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their club, Edgcott and Winslow.

Alan said: “A lot of clubs have cycled to the AGM in the past, but doing it in 24 hours is our challenge. We’re pretty sure we’ll manage it.”

A support team with a pick up truck and livestock trailer, spare bike and tools, will be with them all the way.

If you want to support their exciting challenge send a cheque made out to Edgcott and Winslow Young Farmers and send it to Berry Leys Farm, East Claydon Road, Winslow MK18 3ND.