Curridge cancer survivor completes gruelling charity challenge across United States

In March, newburytoday reported how Curridge woman, Marion Templeman, was preparing for a 5,300-kilometre bike ride across America to raise money for Move Against Cancer, after surviving breast cancer herself in 2021.

Newburytoday recently caught up with Mrs Templeman after her fundraiser hit £23,000, with generous match funding from her workplace, exceeding her original £5,300 target — and there is still time to donate.

Mrs Templeman flew out in May and her entire journey across America lasted 84 days, covering 11 states in total.

Relentless heat, night storms, endless desert and farmland and mechanical difficulties soon resembled daily life for Mrs Templeman.

She also had to endure some of her journey alone after her travelling companion, who has long Covid, was forced to leave her prematurely.

Mrs Templeman returned to West Berkshire in August — and was back at work the next day.

Speaking about the experience, Mrs Templeman said: “It was tricky because on the first day on my own as I ended up getting a dodgy tyre.”

And the nearest bike repair shop was 88 miles away.

She continued: “I had to cycle really slowly and couldn’t go more than 10 miles an hour, even downhill, because if that blows when you’re on the motorway, you’re in a lot of trouble.

“I had new tyres put on and I spent the first couple of days off-road on my own in the middle of nowhere.

“Those three or four days on my own weren’t particularly nice because I was just thinking at any time, ‘what happens if that tyre goes’. But you just kind of get on with it really.”

But she persevered, eventually meeting up with her second friend. Together, the pair continued on their journey through Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, down to Tennessee, North Carolina and Illinois.

She only had 15 rest days in three months — which mainly consisted of paddleboarding and canoeing.

Mrs Templeman saw the challenge through to the end.

She said it only rained three days in three months, including at the finish line — helping her transition to life back in Britain.