Match the Miles: Are you up for the challenge?

Each year, the Adventure Syndicate asks the public to step up to the Match the Miles Challenge by getting on their bikes every day for a week, while electronically following directors Lee and Jenny as they ride every day and night for five days. This time, there’s a twist.

The Adventure Syndicate is an all-female collective of extraordinary cyclists, who aim to challenge what others think they are capable of, they are also an affiliated Cycling UK group. 

Lee Craigie, Scotland’s Active Nation Commissioner, and Jenny Graham, the fastest woman to circumnavigate the world by bike, are bringing The Highland Trail to your living room, through a virtual experience.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Lee and Jenny are unable to ride all day and night. Instead, they have put together a free app, which lets you track your own journey and has prizes and events along the way.

From Monday, 11 May to Friday, 15 May, they're encouraging you to get two hours of exercise every day, while following your progress on the interactive 550-mile Highland Trail route on the app (downloadable from the App Store or Google Play).

We encourage you to be creative with your two hours of exercise, using indoor & outdoor spaces.

Jenny Graham

It’s not just about cycling. You and family, colleagues or pupils can get involved in any way that suits. “We encourage you to be creative with your two hours of exercise, using indoor & outdoor spaces,” Jenny explained. “I spend time outdoors everyday exercising so to give myself a real challenge I'm going to spend a chunk of my time doing yoga, stretching and core work. So, you see anthing goes.”

Every day will be a school day with the Match the Miles Challenge – engaging talks and sessions will take place regularly on subjects such as bikepacking and brain training. There will even be access to inspiring stories and exclusive film clips.

Participants are encouraged to follow The Adventure Syndicate on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for daily updates and community engagement.

Bringing people together, working towards a common goal, whilst having a laugh along the way, has never been more important.

Jenny Graham

It’s not just families and individuals that should rise to the challenge; this is a great way to keep schools and workplaces engaged while some restrictions are still in place. Jenny said: “It can be hard to stay motivated right now but in this way we can all help keep each other to keep going by being part of one big online adventure.

“Bringing people together, working towards a common goal, whilst having a laugh along the way, has never been more important.

“Our aim is to inject a little bit of routine, purpose and adventure into people’s lives during the week – as a reminder that these times will pass and, when they do, there will be a whole community of like-minded souls ready to reconnect.”

Step up to the challenge and take part in the journey of a lifetime.