Personal trainer takes on ultra challenge for charity

A Glossop-based personal trainer is set to take on a brand-new ultra-distance cycling challenge this May, all in aid of a cause close to her heart. 

Lynne Taylor runs Global Therapies in Old Glossop alongside her partner Tim Budd, a physiotherapist. With 15 years in business serving the local community, together they have built a trusted local service helping people feel stronger, move better, and regain confidence in a supportive, judgment-free environment with education at the heart of everything they do. 

Now, Lynne is taking that commitment beyond the gym by tackling the ‘Lost Dot 101’, an inaugural ultra-endurance cycling event, starting on 10th May. 

The event is a female-only (FLINTA - women, non-binary, trans and intersex riders) ultra-distance ride spanning over 1,200km across Spain and Portugal. Beginning in Santiago de Compostela and finishing in the south of Spain at Córdoba, riders follow a mostly free-route format, navigating between key checkpoints while managing their own strategy, pacing, and recovery over multiple days. 

For Lynne, it’s not just about the distance - it’s about purpose: 

“I work closely with people every day to help them believe in what they’re capable of” she says. “This challenge is my way of stepping outside my own comfort zone while supporting something that really matters to me.” 

At 52, she is intentionally stepping into the unknown, acknowledging that finishing the event is not guaranteed. For her, that’s exactly the point. Pushing into something this demanding is a way of exploring her own limits and discovering what’s still possible, particularly as she navigates perimenopause and continues to challenge assumptions about age, fitness, and capability. 

Lynne Taylor, Personal Trainer with Global Therapies (Credit: Emily Latham).

She has spent the past six months preparing for the event, training through harsh winter conditions and steadily building both physical and mental resilience. But the challenge goes far beyond time in the saddle. From testing equipment and refining kit choices to planning routes and logistics, the preparation has required many hours of careful thought, problem-solving, and adaptability every step of the way. 

Alongside running her business, Lynne volunteers at Glossop Cat Rescue, a local charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming cats in need. Funds raised from the ride will go directly towards supporting the charity’s ongoing work. 

Her partner at Global Therapies added: “Every day we see the difference that consistent, supportive coaching can make to people’s lives. This challenge reflects exactly what we encourage in our clients - stepping into something that feels big and uncertain, and finding strength through it. Doing that while supporting a local charity makes it even more special for the community.” 

So far, she has raised an impressive £1,300, with donations still open ahead of the event. 

"Glossop has given me so much over the years” she adds. “This feels like a way to give something back, both to the community and to the animals that rely on organisations like Glossop Cat Rescue. Huge thanks to everyone who’s supported me and helped me get to the start line." 

Local residents can still support the fundraiser and follow her journey as she prepares to take on this incredible challenge. 

Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lynne-taylor-glossop-cat-rescue?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL