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Woman Celebrates Retirement with Epic Charity Cycle Ride

Elaine Hirst is cycling 1600km for the War Child charity to celebrate her retirement

Who said retirement should involve a slower pace of life? Not Elaine Hirst, that’s for sure.

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Elaine – who turned 64 earlier this month – is entering the big “R” of her life, but she’s heading in there with a bang as she embarks on an epic 1600km cycle ride from York to Cadiz in Spain to raise money and awareness for the War Child charity.

“I am going to mark this in a way that is enjoyable, is a personal challenge – and benefits others.” – Elaine Hirst

Why War Child? Elaine explains; ” I am interested in War Child because it was founded by two filmmakers working in former Yugoslavia in 1993 who were so shocked by the impact that war had on the lives of children who were utterly powerless victims.”

Age is just a number so don’t let it stop you from racing

Elaine only began riding seriously a few years ago and has since completed the Tour de Yorkshire and a few long distance and multi-day sportive rides. Taking on this 1600km “ride will be a mega personal and physical challenge”.

Elaine’s route will begin in York where she’ll be riding to Portsmouth to catch a ferry to Santander. Once there, Elaine will cycle over Los Picos to join El Camino de Santiago (pilgrim route) which will lead her to Leon and then due south on La Ruta de Plata (another pilgrim route) to Seville and then onwards to Cadiz.

Elaine’s adventure will begin on August 25th and she’s hoping to raise £3,200 for the War Child charity. For more information and to donate to Elaine’s cause, head over to her JustGiving page here.