On the 18th May 2014, five of us headed out for a 23 mile hike across the Chiltern hills along the Ridgeway walk. Finding a hilly area around Hertfordshire where we all can get to is pretty hard. The Ridgeway has a few hills but is mainly a woodland area. We completed 1/4 of the full Ridgeway walk, which started at Ivinghoe Beacon and finished in Chinnor.
Ivinghoe Beacon
Tring Station
Wigginton
Wendover
Princes Risborough
Chinnor
0 Miles
3.4 Miles
1.9 Miles
6.5 Miles
6.5 Miles
4.8 Miles
23.1 Miles (plus a bit extra at the start and end)
The aim was to do the walk carrying a full pack (survival gear included) and at a fast pace to try and replicate the type of effort we will need to put in to complete the challenge in 24 hours. We walked the total distance in 7 hours 11 mins (which we are all very pleased with), albeit with blisters, aches, pains and a spot of sunburn! I think it’s fair to say things started to ‘breakdown’ around the 20 mile mark and that was with very good conditions, a good night’s sleep beforehand and with no long resting periods every 6 miles… I think the team will agree with me when I say I’m a little apprehensive about the challenge and it is going to be incredibly tough!
On the 1st June 2014, four of us completed part of the Ridgeway walk again, from Ivinghoe to Wendover and back, which is nearly 23 miles in 7 hours and 1 minute. Didn't ache nearly as much as the first walk, so the long distance walking is really paying off.
Two weeks before another long walk and then another two before the main event. Time is really going fast but we should be ready.
