The Sarsen Challenge

THE SARSEN CHALENGE - MAN v MACHINE

Ladies & Gentlemen - I have the honour and pleasure of introducing a unique challenge. A challenge so bizarre that only I could have dreamt it up..... and then decided to go through with it!

As the sun rises on Sunday 04th May, last minute preparations shall be in progress. Boots shall be being polished, and engine oil shall be gently warmed. Les Colyer, (honorary VTR veteran and all round jolly decent chap), shall be walking the "Sarsen Trail" - a 26 mile cross-terrain venture across a part of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, highlighted on a slightly crumpled copy of the Ordinance Survey map simply as, "Danger Area".

The trail begins at The Red Lion Public House in Avebury, and ends up, several hours later, at the iconic Stonehenge. I shall also be undertaking this same route, from the comfortable and air-conditioned surroundings of my car.

Hardly a challenge I hear you cry. Clearly I shall cover the distance more swiftly and arrive at Stonehenge in time for a spot of luncheon. Well, there lies the twist. Whilst I shall also be departing from The Red Lion Pub, destined for Stonehenge, I have to make a slight detour........ via. Blackpool!!!

So what is the purpose of this crazy undertaking? Well, I am trying to put forth the argument that charity fundraising doesn't always have to be about extreme physical challenges, whereby you oft end up requiring the services of the charity you ultimately set about raising funds for! Why not undertake a sponsored event in the comfortable and climate controlled environment of your motor vehicle, emerging at the other end with no discomfort, or injury or sun burn.

There lies the preface of the challenge. It is man versus machine. Both journeys have been calculated to take roughly the same length of time, all factors being favourable. It is a race to the finish. 26 miles for man, 450 miles for machine. Forfeit for the loser.

And whilst the greatest obstacle likely to be encountered by man is a fallen tree, the logistics facing the car are as unpredictable as the British weather. Bank holiday traffic, contraflows, road works, traffic jams..... the list goes on. Re-routing on the fly is almost inevitable.

I shall be travelling with a co-pilot, a.k.a. an independent adjudicator, who shall ensure no rules are broken and will also be taking photographic documentation of the journey. We plan to drive to Blackpool where we have to undertake a further challenge in the form of a "selfie" on the Central Pier's Big Wheel, capturing the Blackpool Tower in the background.

We must then buy some Blackpool rock and a post card (which has to be written and posted from the promenade), before jumping back into the car to complete the second leg of the journey to Stonehenge.

Pit stops for fuel and snacks are permitted. Any route maybe used to get to and from Blackpool, but traffic information via. SatNav is not allowed. Music for the journey shall be compiled and provided by "the office", and both parties will be provided with real time location updates courteously of a GPS based phone app.

First one to Stonehenge wins. So, place your bets in the form of a kind sponsorship donation to The Pennyhooks Farm Trust for whom we are undertaking this sponsored madness. This is a single sponsorship form, so please indicate whether your bet is on Man or Machine in the comments section.

A photo log of the event will be uploaded shortly after the challenge is completed. Destination - Stonehenge. Thank you for your support.