Fund-raiser Claire Lomas enjoyed her first free evening last night, eight days after setting off on her cycle ride around England.
The former eventer, who was left paralysed from the waist down in a riding accident, described her latest feat – cycling 400 miles across England to visit schools – as harder than the London Marathon she walked last year in her robotic suit.
Claire, 32, of Eye Kettleby, near Melton, spent a frantic first week attending evening events, as well as cycling during the day.
She said: "It has gone really well so far. Last night was my first evening off. I didn't get any rest last week, with various events."
Claire has been joined on the trip by two-year-old daughter Maisie, who is being looked after by Claire's mum Joyce.
She said: "Maisie's loving it, she's having a great time following in the support van."
Yesterday, Claire visited St Christopher's School in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, as part of her ride.
She said: "It was a lovely school, the kids were really interested in what I'm doing and that's what keeps me going, it makes me want to go and do it more.
"It is harder than the marathon because I'm cycling, visiting places, getting in and out of the suit. I'm exhausted, but it makes me sleep well."
Claire is cycling 400 miles over three weeks, from Nottingham to London, to raise money for Spinal Research and the Nicholls Foundation through her JustTextGiving by Vodafone code LEGS60.
Anyone wishing to donate can text LEGS60 £3 to 70070.
