JANET Darwell is not content to simply sit back and relax as her 50th birthday approaches.

Instead she is set to put more power into her pedals and cycle her way across Europe.

Janet, who will be 50 in October, is refusing to let age be any boundary and will set off from Manchester on May 1.

She will travel with fellow cyclist Peter Nuttall through France, Spain and Portugal, a total of 1,400 miles.

Janet, who lives in Westhoughton, will get a special send-off from one of the top women cyclists, Yvonne McGregor.

Janet has been cycling for 15 years and is a member of the Lancashire Road Club.

Her specially adapted bike, which will accommodate all the equipment she needs, has been sponsored by Geoff Smith, who owns a cycling shop in St Helens Road, Bolton.

Janet has cycled long distances before. She cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats, but this is her biggest challenge yet.

"I am doing this for myself, to prove to myself that age doesn't matter," she said.

Janet and Rossendale-based Peter, aged 37, will stay at youth hostels along the way.

And they will hopefully get the chance to take a dip in the sea when they reach the Algarve.

Janet said: "That's what Peter wants to do at the end of the journey."

The scenic journey is expected to finish by the end of May or the beginning of June.

And Janet hopes her incredible ride will stand her in good stead in August when she makes an attempt on her own 12-hour record, which currently stands at 224.6 miles.

Janet is the North Lancs record holder but this year she is going for the national title.

Information about the Lancashire Road Club, or any other local cycling club, can be obtained from Geoff Smith on Bolton 653509.

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