Meet Jonathan:

Hi, I’m Jonathan Roskell, I am the Retail Change Manager and I’ve worked for Booths for over 40 years.

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?

This will be my 3rd time participating because its such an amazing event for those new to cycling and seasoned professionals. The organisation is amazing , the routes through France are beautiful and most important of course is that we are raising money for such a worthwhile charity.

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?

8, I’m lucky as I know what is in store and what preparation I need to do to be ready for Greenwich on Thursday 4th June.

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?

The weather – last year was not great as we had both rain and wind which not only is extremely uncomfortable , it causes lots of punctures (I had 2 myself).

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?

Excited – she’s been cooped up all winter so is desperate to get her wheels turning.

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?

Have a beer and then order another!

Meet David:
David, nearly 29 years with Booths, a butcher supervisor working at Fresh Food Production. I am married with 2 adult sons and got back into sport aged 50 after completing a couch to 5km.

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
I need a new challenge each year, it clashed with Bolton Ironman in 2025 but this year I kept my calendar free. I am keen to ride with fellow employees to support the Charity. My wife has a colleague who was treated and supported through Leukaemia.

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
7, it’s a very long way , I’ve never travelled abroad without my wife and whilst I’ve driven 000s of miles through France over the years, the though of 2 wheels and Lycra is very daunting.

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
Hills, up and down, the pain and effort getting up them, the downhill can be scary, I’ve experienced some French hairpin bends in my car, hope my brakes don’t let me down.

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
Nervous, my last organised event ended abruptly, my poor bike still carries the scars and scuffs.

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
Take a selfie to send home.

Meet Mark:

My name is Mark Langstaff, Store Manager at Booths Knutsford, and 2026 marks my 30th year with Booths. Apparently I celebrate big milestones by cycling to Paris… repeatedly!

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
This is my third London to Paris ride, and I’m taking part again to support Cure Leukaemia. It’s an incredible charity doing life-saving work, and being able to raise funds while taking a proper challenge makes every mile worthwhile. Plus, after last year’s “character-building” weather, I feel like I’ve got a point to prove!

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
A confident 9. I’m not nervous this year – experience helps. I know what’s coming, I know how to pace it, and I’ve learned that whatever the ride throws at you, you just keep pedalling.

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
The weather, without question. You can train for hills and you expect sore legs, but you can’t train for sideways rain and stubborn headwinds. Last year definitely tested everyone.

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
Excited. It’s serviced, ready to go, and probably wondering why it only gets this level of attention once a year.

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
Get the photo of the Eiffel Tower, take a minute to soak it in, and then find something substantial to eat – preferably without having to pedal anywhere to get it.

Meet Holly:
Hi, my name is Holly Phillips. I’m the Compliance Officer at Booths, and I’ve been part of the business for over five years now.

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
I’m taking on the ride from London to Paris because I wanted a new challenge after completing my first half marathon last year, and cycling felt like the perfect next step. This is my first time committing to cycling properly, so everything is brand new to me! Most importantly, I’m doing it in support of a truly amazing cause, which makes every training ride and tough hill feel worthwhile.

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
I’d say I’m feeling about a 6 out of 10 brave for this adventure. Maybe some of that confidence comes from a bit of naivety and the fact that I’m still pretty new to cycling, but that might be for the best!

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
I’m definitely least excited about the hills — someone recently told me that hills never actually get easier, you just get faster, which is mildly terrifying and motivating all at once.

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
If my bike had feelings, I’m pretty sure it would be a bit nervous — like me, this will be it’s first properly big outing and challenge, and I’ve definitely thrown it (and myself) in at the deep end!

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
When I finally roll into Paris, the very first thing I’m hoping to do is see my family and celebrate with them. After that, I plan to eat an unreasonable number of pastries, soak up the moment, and absolutely not go anywhere near a bike again for a while.

Meet Hannah:
I’m Hannah, I have worked for Booths for 6 years and am currently the Specialist Manager at Windermere.

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
I have always had so much respect for the riders in previous years who took on such a tough challenge while raising an incredible amount of money and awareness for an amazing charity. Its something that I really wanted to push myself to do and be a part of!

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
I think I would say a 5… Leaning slightly more on the terrified side at the moment!

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
Honestly? I think all three! However, I think the sore legs will follow me back from Paris…

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
I think my bike would be excited because I don’t think it knows quite what it has signed up to. A bit like me a few months ago!

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
I think I will definitely be celebrating with a glass of wine… or two!

Meet Nicola:
My name is Nicola, and I’m the Store Manager in Clitheroe. I am not a cyclist – never have been, and let’s be honest, probably never will be. But I’ve signed up for London 2 Paris again!

Between school runs, sports clubs, and the general chaos of family life, finding time to train is… ambitious. While the kids are off playing football or rugby, I’m the mum trying to squeeze in a training ride. Balancing cycling with a busy home life is a challenge in itself, but that’s exactly why this ride means so much. If I can juggle all of that and still pedal my way to Paris, then anything is possible.

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
I’m riding London 2 Paris in 2026 because, despite promising myself never again after last year’s four‑day battle with rain, wind, hills, and my own sanity… here I am. It turns out the pain fades, but the purpose doesn’t.

Last year I was blown away by the people I met – riders who had been directly affected by Leukaemia, families who had lost loved ones, and supporters who reminded me why this challenge matters. Their stories carried me through every miserable weather front and every hill I tried to negotiate with my gears. And together, with the help of customers, friends, and family, we smashed the fundraising target. That feeling of making a real difference is something I want to experience again.

2026… let’s do this!

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
I’d put my bravery at about a 6.5. I did this ride last year, and I still can’t decide if that makes me braver… or just more foolish. Part of me thinks it was easier when I didn’t know what was coming; now I remember every hill, every headwind, and every moment of questioning my life choices.

The only thing keeping me going is knowing I’ve done it before. The pain fades but the pride doesn’t, and rolling into Paris makes every mile worth it. So yes, I’m brave, but also slightly terrified, fully aware of what’s ahead, and clinging to the memory that somehow I survived it last year.

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
Hills. Without question. I look at a steep road and think it’s a hill! Last year I learned a lot from my fellow riders about how to tackle them properly – how to use my gears, how to pace myself, how not to cry halfway up – but they still terrify me. The weather can’t be worse than last year – surely!

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
If my bike had feelings, she’d definitely be a bit heartbroken. We survived London 2 Paris together last year – four days of rain, wind, snacks and shammie cream – and then I abandoned her in the shed. Two flat tyres and a broken chain later, she has every right to be offended.

But she’s been rescued, cleaned up, and is now gleaming and raring to go… unlike me, who’s still trying to remember how gears and cleats work. So yes, she’d be excited to hit the road again, but also slightly nervous that her rider has forgotten everything she learnt last year.

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
The first thing I’ll do when I reach Paris is probably cry… again! Last year I didn’t expect to get emotional at all, but the moment I saw the top of the Eiffel Tower peeking out, I completely lost it. After four days of cycling through wind, rain, hills, and very questionable saddle comfort, it suddenly hit me: I actually did it!

I’m fully expecting the same emotional meltdown this year. There’s something incredibly powerful about rolling into Paris with a team who’ve all pushed themselves for the same cause. The relief, the pride, the exhaustion, the celebration… it all hits at once.

So yes, I’ll probably cry, hug the team, take a very triumphant photo, and then immediately look for food.

Meet Matt:
I lead the Retail Development Team at Booths, responsible for redeveloping and modernising stores and introducing new shopping environments and experiences. I live in Skipton with my 2 daughters and dog Mabel

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
I undertook the London 2 Paris in 2023 and it was such a fabulous experience raising vital funds for such a great cause. Having undergone cancer treatment and knee surgery myself in 2025, putting myself forward this year will be a huge personal challenge and journey. I know first hand what supporting and raising monies for these amazing charities does for those people, friends and family undergoing treatment.

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
8 – excited and looking forward to the challenge and fun of the ride. It’s not a 10 yet as the fitness levels and training have some way to go!

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
Hills – not sure why, just don’t like them!

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
I think at this stage probably more nervous as it’s not been out of the garage in such a long time!

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
Definitely a celebratory beer and a nice hot shower.

Meet Beverley Wilkes:
I have worked for Booths for 12 months as the Central Services Lead.

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
Having been involved in some of the Cure Leukemia fundraising activities last year and hearing about how Booths support goes towards funding a research nurse based at Blackpool hospital, I felt inspired to do more this year for a great cause. I decided to get back in the saddle, having not used a road bike for the last 5 years knowing that if I didn’t do it this year I never would. So, I’ve dusted down the road bike and here I am, looking forward to taking part, slightly apprehensive as it will not be easy, but hoping to raise plenty of money through fundraising for this life saving research.

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
6 – cycling around 300 miles over 4 days feels very different from 25 – 30 miles ride once a week.

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
Hills – will I have the stamina.

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
Nervous – never done so many miles in such a short space of time….

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
Enjoy a nice glass of red wine.

Meet Julia:
Hi I’m Julia Gorecka, store manager at Longton store and I have worked for Booths for almost 10 years now, starting when I was only 16. I’m someone who believes life is about saying yes to challenges that scare you a little – because that’s usually where the best memories are. I’m determined, optimistic and apparently the kind of person who thinks cycling to another country sounds like a good time.

Tell us why you’re riding London 2 Paris in 2026?
I’m riding London to Paris in 2026 because I wanted to prove to myself that I am capable of more than I think – while also supporting an incredible cause. Knowing there’s a bigger purpose behind every mile will keep me going when things get tough ( and when my legs start questioning my life choices)

On a scale of 1–10, how brave are you feeling right now and why?
I’d probably say an 8. I’m confident enough to tell people I’m doing it, but not quite confident enough to look too closely at the elevation statistics yet. However I do think real bravery is doing something even when you’re not 100% sure how it will go and trusting you’ll figure it out along the way.

Hills, weather, or sore legs—which are you least excited about and why?
Probably the hills. Weather you can complain about and sore legs you can stretch. Hills just sit there…..judging you…..getting steeper the closer you get. They are also the part you can’t shortcut you just have to keep pedaling and trust you’ll reach the top. But I guess that’s what makes them the most rewarding part in the end but I’ll probably have to remind myself of that on the day.

If your bike had feelings, would it be excited or nervous and why?
I think my bike would probably be nervous. It will be thinking “I’ve seen your training rides…..are we really ready for this?”. But deep down it knows we will get there together (eventually).

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you reach Paris?
Find Food immediately. Then take lots of photos. Then more food. Possibly whilst still wearing my helmet because I’ll be too tired to take it off. But more importantly celebrate the massive achievement probably with a mix of laughter and some emotional tears.