Warrington business owner completes 80-mile ride for charity

Paul Henshaw began the exciting expedition at the end of June, cycling every day for two weeks from St Marlow in Brittany all the way to their end destination of Nice, located on the French Riviera.

The 52-year-old was accompanied by 13 other cyclists on the arranged ride, which saw them cycling from 8am every morning for six to eight hours each day, with only seven cyclists making it to the final location.

Detailing the challenges that presented themselves along the journey, Paul said: “It was a lot more difficult than I expected – the hills and the heat and trying to stay hydrated were the hardest parts. I think 2600 metres was the highest we got to which is twice the height of Snowdon.

“In one instance we spent 4 hours going up one steep incline in 28-degree heat. It was tough at times.”Paul completed the 80-mile ride in 28 degree heat

Paul, owner of Warrington Optimum Wellness chiropractors, located on Winick Road, managed to raise £1000 for ‘The Scotland college of Chiropractic Trust’, who specialise in educating graduate chiropractors.

The chiropractors has been running in Warrington for more than 20 years and sees as many as 1000 patients a month, with Paul running the business side and his wife and co-owner, Dr Monica Henshaw working as head chiropractor.

Paul described the ‘stunning’ scenery they were exposed to during the accomplished trek including an ‘amazing’ 20 minute decent which allowed them to take in plenty of the ‘spectacular views.

He said: “When you’re up in the hills and in the mountains, you feel on top of the world. The changing scenery is amazing – going through the province and smelling pure lavender”.

He added: “Some of the other guys have done a lot more riding than me and said they were the best views they’ve ever seen”.

Paul spent eight months training alone and often included his 25-mile round commute from hometown of Altrincham to Warrington and back, into his regime.

Describing the moment, they reached their final destination and the aftermath of the ride he said: “It was brilliant, we all had a glass of champagne at the end to celebrate. Your body responds and adapts quickly during and after the ride, so a couple of days after I completed it, I was back on the saddle.”

He laughed: “My body doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Paul expressed his desire to keep up his fitness levels that he built up during the ride and hopes to complete the journey again in the future but over a longer period of time.