The Story
Back in September 2022, ‘The Loneliest Road’ saw two teams of Kelly’s Heroes cyclists taking on two impressive cycle rides across Europe and the US. The epic 52,000-mile cycle challenge saw John Hewitt and his daughter Amy Hewitt along with an intrepid team of cyclists, raise awareness and funds for We Mind & Kelly Matters in memory of John’s late daughter and Amy’s sister, Kelly.
Setting off from Burgos, Spain on the 10th September, which also coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day, three teams of four cyclists held consecutive relays over 10 days. The gruelling route took them through France, where they conquered the world-famous Mont Ventoux before finishing the European leg on the 19th September at main sponsor, VEKA’s headquarters in Sendenhorst, Germany.
From there, 12 riders headed across the pond to take on the epic Highway 50 east-west route across the United States. Kicking off in New York, the team cycled a staggering 3,343 miles to San Francisco before completing the ride on the Golden Gate Bridge on the 10th October, coinciding with World Mental Health day.
The challenge surpassed the target of 52,000 miles, being the distance to go around the world twice – synonymous with the mental wellbeing ideology ‘ask twice’ as well as smashing the £150,000 target.
