A LOCAL author and lifelong cyclist who has ridden more than 550,000 miles is preparing for her toughest challenge yet – helping her children push a wagon full of camping kit the 100-mile length of the South Downs Way.

With her three children, Molly (13), Daisy (ten) and Jack (six), and Molly’s school friend Lucy Hollyer, 54-year-old Josie Dew will attempt the back-breaking challenge next month.

Everything they need to keep them going on the downs during the challenge – tent, food, clothes, stove, absolutely everything – will be in the glorified wheelbarrow known as a Walking Wagon.

Josie, a lifelong Milland resident, said: “I last did the walk with Molly and Daisy and baby Jack in 2014 with two Dutch friends, who helped to push the wagon.

“This time the children will be pushing and pulling it with all the camping kit and clobber they need to keep them going for a fortnight or so.

“I will be the only adult so it will be hard work as some of the downs are very steep – and fully laden, the wagon is very heavy!”

Josie’s life revolves around cycling, and so far she has cycled more than 550,000 miles across six continents and 50 countries – some of them by accident, she says.

She also claims to be the survivor of several wonky knees and worn-out bottom brackets – but she still rides with her two youngest to school every day, through all weathers.

She has written seven books about her travels and is in the middle of an eighth, and is a patron of Sustrans, and is vice-president of Cycling UK.

Daisy and Jack are raising money for their school, Hollycombe Primary, and to sponsor them visit the website at www.gofundme.com/manage/operation-walking-wagon

Molly and Lucy – who are both Year 9 students at Midhurst Rother College – are raising money for the NHS.

To sponsor them visit the website at www.gofundme.com/manage/operation-walking-wagon-2020