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The joys of training on traffic-free routes

Lexi, an army veteran and below-knee amputee, will be wheeling��the equivalent of a marathon every day as part of her charitable challenge using the JOGLE route.��

In the build-up to the journey, she’s been using her local National Cycle Network Routes 34 and 2 for training.

“Using these traffic-free routes to train on is so important - it means I can rack up the miles, have my headphones on and not have to worry about competing with vehicles.

“I use these routes from my home to reach Exmouth and go along the seafront which is great for my speed sessions.

“Because I’m low to the ground it feels much safer on off-road routes.

“I have a friend who uses a hand �IJ���̳ and she’s been run over a couple of times on the road.

“After hearing that I thought there’s no way I’m risking it on the roads. I can’t afford the injury time, put it that way.

“I’ll stick to anything off-road now.

“A few gates along the way have been taken out now which means I can travel further along which is great.

“I see lots of different people using the same routes that I use to train on too, whether that’s running or cycling – I've got to know their faces. We say hello to each other, and we all say the same thing that it’s nice to feel safe and not have to worry about traffic.”

Breaking records and raising money for charity

Lexi, who has complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and nerve issues, is no stranger to a challenge.

In 2022, she broke the world records for the fastest half and full marathons using a non-sport wheelchair.

In 2023, she achieved two new world records, one for the furthest distance covered in 12 hours using a wheelchair and the other for the Bath Half Marathon.

Before this, she spent eight years on crutches. She then had her leg amputated due to her condition.

Along with smashing world records, Lexi has raised thousands of pounds for charities close to her heart.

Wheeling the length of the UK in a non-standard wheelchair

The whole of her JOGLE challenge will be on roads as she’ll have support vehicles travelling with her nearby to protect her from overtaking vehicles.

“It’s just about making sure I complete it. Because no one’s ever done it before I’ve got no basis of comparison for what the routes will be like or what could come along for someone using a normal wheelchair.

“We know what it’s like for someone on a �IJ���̳ and someone on a hand �IJ���̳ but that’s very different to what I’m using.

“My normal wheelchair is built for shopping, not sport. I can do around 15kph on it but that’s pushing it, and I can’t sustain that day after day going up hills and half up the side of mountains.

“Whereas my hand �IJ���̳ can easily go up to 50kph.

“With my conditions, my pain never disappears – it's always at a high level. But when I’m doing the events it’s like the pain isn’t there, I just don’t think about it because I’m so focused on achieving that goal. I don’t register anything going on around me to be honest.

“It’s going to be interesting. Fingers crossed. I’m just going to take each day as it comes and concentrate on the bigger picture.”

Putting women in sport in the spotlight

Lexi is set to embark on her challenge from 27 August. She’ll be wheeling between five and seven hours a day for five consecutive days at a time, with one or two rest days in between.

The passionate Exeter Chiefs Women supporter is aiming to complete the route within 36 days - reaching Land’s End by 10 October.

“The reason why I’m doing my ‘End2End Rugby Relay’ challenge is partly to raise awareness of people with chronic pain conditions like mine, and to raise awareness of women’s rugby too.

“At the end of each day I’ll be going into a local women’s rugby club, whether that’s a grassroots or premiere league club, get them to sign it and pass the ball onto the next club - connecting all the clubs along the way.

“I want to highlight the way women’s sports can change people’s lives for the better. It inspires so many people including myself and my support team who’ll be with me during the challenge.

“It’s a way for me to give something back, they’ve been so supportive over the years.

“Hopefully it will encourage more people to go along to games across the UK too.”

Making the most of the equipment you have

This challenge will be her longest one yet, but Lexi says visiting the rugby clubs and raising money for charity will spur her on.

“The charity I’m raising money for provided me with my first hand �IJ���̳ so I could get cycling again along with my wheelchair which actually fits me – I want to give back to them.

“The wheelchair the NHS provided me was three sizes too big for me, with the expectation that I will grow in size – with the idea that because you can’t exercise, you’ll put on weight.

“This is one of the things that I’m trying to disprove and say to people ‘it doesn’t have to be this way’. Even though you don’t have a sports wheelchair you can use a normal chair.

“If I can do it then you can.”

Lexi's advice for those who want to wheel long distances

For people who use a standard wheelchair and would like to try going further distances in it, Lexi said the key is to “start off really slowly and gradually build the distance up.”

She added:

“Take a small pootle, don’t see it as training and enjoy the scenery from A to B – before you know it, you’ll be building strength in your arms and shoulders and you’ll be able to do 5k.

“Make sure your chair fits you too.

“If you can, get an attachment for your chair – I have a track wheel or a free wheel – they’re both very similar things that enable you to go over cobbles or off-road without being chucked out your chair.

“They are quite expensive but they are invaluable – I couldn’t do anything I do without it. It actually makes you slower but safer – it’s well worth it.

“You can use what you’ve got and you don’t need to spend 60 grand on a chair which most people simply cannot afford.

“My journey, despite physical challenges, serves as a testament to overcoming the seemingly impossible.

“As part of this challenge, I hope to motivate others to surpass their perceived limitations.”

Lexi is raising money for Exeter Chiefs Women and a charity which provides army veterans with access to sport and other wellbeing resources.

Lexi says people are welcome to join her along the way.

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You can also .

Footage of Lexi’s journey on the JOGLE route will be captured and turned into a documentary.

Note to reader

�IJ���̳ recognises that some people who use wheeled mobility aids, for example a wheelchair or a mobility scooter, may not identify with the term walking and may prefer to use the term wheeling. We use the terms walking and wheeling together to ensure we are as inclusive as possible.

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Feel inspired by the little red sign and plan your next trip on the National Cycle Network.��

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Read about Peter who cycled the length of the UK at the age of 90.