The road from Col de Bussang in France to Koblenz, Germany, will soon echo with the steady rhythm of pedals and the determined spirit of one woman. Jane Hough, 78, affectionately nicknamed ‘Jane the Bike,’ set off on May 26 on her 32nd solo charity cycling challenge, a 600km journey tracing the Moselle River through three countries.
Hough, a former mental health worker from Winchester, has spent decades turning her love for cycling into a force for good. Her latest trek marks over 30 years of fundraising for Christian Aid, a global charity that supports disaster recovery, climate adaptation, and poverty alleviation. Since launching her rides in 1994, she has raised more than £20,000 for the organization.
Key Points
- ✅ 600km route — Moselle River from France to Germany via Luxembourg
- ⚡ 32nd ride — Hough’s first began in 1994 after her husband’s death
- 💡 Fundraising goal — Over £20,000 raised for Christian Aid since 1994
‘The joy isn’t just in the cycling,’ Hough said from the saddle of her touring bike. ‘It’s the countryside, the pace, the people you meet. You notice things when you travel this way—wildflowers, distant church spires, the kindness of strangers.’ Her route avoids motorways, favoring quiet lanes and riverside paths where villages still greet travelers with coffee and maps.
| Country | Route Segment | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| France | Col de Bussang to Remich | 280km |
| Luxembourg | Remich to Wasserbillig | 45km |
| Germany | Wasserbillig to Koblenz | 275km |
The ride is not without challenge. Hough navigates steep climbs in the Vosges foothills and the unpredictable weather of early summer. But she insists the physical demands are secondary to the human connections forged along the way. ‘Once, in the Pyrenees, a farmer stopped his tractor to check my brakes. Another time, in Slovenia, a family shared their lunch under an apple tree,’ she recalled. ‘These moments remind me that most people are good.’
💡 Pro Tip
Plan cycling routes along rivers or canals—these paths often have consistent signage, gentle gradients, and frequent rest stops, making them ideal for long-distance fundraising rides.
Hough’s motivation extends beyond charity. She has not owned a car in over a decade, relying instead on trains and her bike. ‘I’m trying to walk the talk on climate action,’ she said. ‘Every mile on two wheels instead of four reduces my footprint.’ The ride aligns with Christian Aid’s climate justice initiatives, which help vulnerable communities adapt to environmental changes.
📋 By The Numbers
- 32 — Consecutive years of solo charity rides
- £20,000+ — Total funds raised for Christian Aid since 1994
- 6 — Countries cycled across in previous rides (France, Germany, Luxembourg, Croatia, Switzerland, Slovenia)
Her journey ends in Koblenz, where the Moselle meets the Rhine, a fitting symbol of rivers that connect as much as they divide. Hough plans no grand finale—just a quiet moment to thank those who supported her along the way and to prepare for the next ride. ‘I’ll rest for a week,’ she laughed. ‘Then I’ll start thinking about where to go next.’ Donations can be made directly at her designated collection point.
- 📊 Trend — Solo charity rides by older adults have risen 40% since 2010, per British Cycling data
- 🔍 Analysis — Hough’s model combines physical endurance with grassroots fundraising, proving age is not a barrier to impact
- ⚠️ Caveat — Solo long-distance cycling requires thorough route planning and contingency funds for emergencies
For Hough, the true destination has always been the journey—and the people she meets along it.