WHEN Bolton mum Jean O'Brien turned up for a tough 200 kilometre road trial on a heavy shopper bike, racing cyclists thought she was taking them for a ride. While experienced riders of the Bolton Clarion Cycling Club negotiated the tough terrain on lightweight machines, novice Jean stunned them by completing the ride on a 14-year-old iron Raleigh - complete with kiddy seat. That was in January and Jean, 33, went on to complete a series of challenging rides before husband Alan bought her an ultra-light racer.

Jean - mother of Lisa, 17, twins Rachel and Rebecca 10, and Charlotte, 3 - has since completed a 25 mile race, a 150k road trial and other long distance challenges.

Jean, who lives at Smithills, said: "Since I took up cycling, I have not dieted but cut out eating in between meals, and I have lost a stone and a half."

Jean now participates in the club's weekly ride and recently finished a 25 mile time trial in 76 minutes.

She said: "I hadn't cycled for more than 14 years; even then it was to take my daughter on a mile long journey to school.

"Alan started cycling with the club last year and I asked him to get a tandem, because I didn't think I could manage the distance on my own.

"Eventually, I decided to give it a go and turned up on the shopper bike. It was hard work, and a little embarrassing, but I did keep up.

"My husband felt sure that I would lose interest so he left it a few months before he realised I was really keen, and so bought me the new bike. Now, it's a piece of cake."

Club secretary Amy McLarty said: "Jean is a marvel. Her first bike was so heavy you could hardly pick it up. We never dreamed she'd finish that first 200 kilometres. She rides everything in the calendar now."

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