ALMOST 100 miles of open road faces Worcester woman Louisa Summer, who plans to cycle from the city to Weston-super-Mare to raise money for the National Autistic Society.

Miss Summer, 46, is an Asperger's sufferer - an autism spectrum disorder - but does not let this get in the way of her living independently and enjoying the great outdoors.

"I've been cycling almost as long as I have been able to walk. That, and walking are my main ways of getting around. I like to go all over the place and if it's a long distance I will get the train home. When I am cycling I think about my grandparents who brought me up," she explained.

She added that the idea came about one day when she was wondering how she could combine her love of the outdoors with rising money to help other people.

"I did a bit of research and put Asperger's in the internet and it brought up the National Autistic Society. Because I have Asperger's I thought it was a good charity to choose and I picked cycling because I enjoy it so much.

"I am really looking forward to the challenge. I haven't had to train very much because I cycle a lot and I am not frightened by traffic. I did wonder about asking people if they wanted to cycle with me but I do cycle quite fast and they may not be able to keep up with me," she said.

Miss Summer, who lives near Shrub Hill, aims to set off early on July 2 from the Guild Hall, in Worcester, and make it to the Grand Pier, in Weston, within the day.

She will be using her own money to stay overnight in the town and catch the train back to Worcester the next day.

"There may be a couple of places where I will have to walk because it may be too dangerous to cycle, but I am determined to get there before the night draws in, " she said.

She has set up a Just Giving donations page and is also issuing sponsor forms. Anyone wishing to sponsor her online should go to: www.justgiving.com/teams/cycleride30.

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