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People and PersonalitiesYou are in: Beds Herts and Bucks > People > People and Personalities > Geoff wins the bus pass challenge!  Geoff wins the bus pass challenge!How far can you travel in five days - using just a bus pass? Geoff Aldridge from Wingrave found out! On 1st April 2008, the Government invested an extra £250 million to provide free off-peak bus travel across England, enabling anyone over 60 years of age to travel anywhere in England using a regular bus service. Excited by the opportunity to travel further afield, pensioner Geoff Aldridge from Buckinghamshire set about seeing just how far he could travel in just five days.  Geoff Aldridge With bag packed and bus routes in hand, Geoff set off from Wingrave crossroads aiming to circumnavigate as much of Northern England as he could. Geoff's journey:Day One: Left Wingrave, via Milton Keynes to Worksop – requiring five changes! Day Two: Worksop to York, via Doncaster, with amazing views of the Yorkshire Moors from the top deck of a double-decker. Day Three: Geoff travelled some 200 miles using 6 buses! From Whitby to Newcastle via Middlesborough, followed by yet another bus, this time to Kendal via Penrith. Day Four: A long trip to Manchester via Preston, followed by a journey on the Trans Peak bus through the Peak District via Buxton, Matlock, Derby through to Loughborough. Day Five: Returning to Wingrave via Leicester and Northampton – arriving home at 14:20 hrs! WinnerGeoff now has reason to feel doubly proud of his endeavours – he has won himself the title 'Bus Pass Challenge Champion' for having completed the most miles in shortest time (750 miles in 5 days) and now has a framed certificate and mug to prove it!  Geoff's certificate has pride of place at home... "I was surfing the internet one day, and came across the 'Bus Pass Challenge' and thought it looked interesting. I filled in the details of my journey, sent them off and forgot all about it!" Geoff told the BBC. "A few weeks later I got an email back telling me I was the winner – I couldn't believe it! "I've never been the Champion of anything before! I certainly didn't do it to win anything" said Geoff. Geoff enjoyed the experience so much that he's thinking of taking his wife Hilary with him next time - but not in five days though! "I think she'll want to take things a little more leisurely!" said Geoff. last updated: 04/12/2008 at 14:46 Have Your Say
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