Harriet Sneyd and her partner, Kit Evans Lombe, set off from Oslo, Norway, on July 23 and are aiming to travel the length of Europe over the course of around three months.
So far, the pair have crossed Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary as they make their way south.
Harriet is undertaking the challenge in support of Macmillan Cancer Support after her father, Paul, was diagnosed with stage three advanced bowel cancer in January.
Since then, he has undergone two major operations, leaving him with an ileostomy bag and forcing him to adapt to a dramatically different way of life. He is also currently undergoing chemotherapy, which is expected to continue for another six months.
Speaking about her father’s diagnosis, Harriet said one of the hardest aspects has been facing an uncertain future.
“Unfortunately, not even the doctors have any answers, and coming to terms with an unknown future has been one of the hardest things to face,” she said.
She added that Macmillan Cancer Support has been there for her family throughout the ordeal.
“Macmillan has been there from the very start, supporting me, my family, and my dad throughout,” she said.
“Whether it’s simply being on the end of the phone for a chat, or providing real, practical guidance about the diagnosis and what it means – they have been an invaluable source of comfort and clarity during an incredibly difficult time.”
Members of the public can donate to the fundraiser via this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/pedallingnorthtosouth
While the challenge has allowed the couple to experience new countries, cultures and landscapes, Harriet admitted it has tested them both physically and mentally.
She said the mental challenge has often been greater than the physical one, particularly on days when they are feeling unwell but still need to get back on their bikes.
The pair have also had to contend with difficult weather conditions during the journey.
Despite the challenges, Harriet described the experience as “incredible” and said some of her highlights have included seeing wildlife in Norway and meeting people from across Europe.