"Shut Up Legs" No more Suffering for Jens Voigt!

Just 48 Hrs after setting a new world hour record on the track in Switzerland, Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) was riding through a mist-shrouded New Forest. Voigt could have been anywhere but chose to honour a commitment to friend and ride organiser Stuart Grace and just a few hours after his delayed flight from Berlin, he was out on his bike helping to raise funds for the Epilepsy Society & the Oakhaven Hospice.

Stuart first met Jens at the Duo Normand Time Trial in 1999, they got talking and have kept in touch ever since. “I just think it is unbelievable that he spends so much time and effort coming here to do this for us”. Says a delighted Grace “If there is anything I want that he can help with, he will do it. He flew from Berlin and we picked him up from the airport, got in just after midnight, Jens slept in till 8, got up and did the ride” he adds. Eighty riders had paid £100 to ride the 50 mile” Shut Up Legs” event and Jens tried to talk to as many as he could, dropping back through the groups of ten to chat and take selfies!.

Back at the headquarters near New Milton, Voigt, who announced his retirment this year, was more than happy to sign autographs, pose for pictures and answer questions. The 43 year old German legend admits to not being as strong as he was, "I don’t like the training anymore so much, I am not good enough anymore, its natural, it is time to stop, it is better to go now than wait to be told there is no contract anymore. Asked about future challenges Jens says “I like fishing, I want to catch a 1 metre long Pike, I also fancy doing a 1,000 km mountain bike race, two riders in the team and a million dollar prize fund! Seriously though I don’t need challenges, I am happy, I want to take a few steps back in terms of suffering but I want to take ten steps forward in terms of life quality, I don’t want to suffer anymore! I want to do some easy things! I have six kids to get through school, my eldest son turns 19 in November and has just been accepted to study law at University, we have enough challenges”.
Ride organizer and local fundraiser Stuart Grace (GA Cycles) is the father of Amy, who has suffered with Epilepsy, ADHD and learning disabilities for over 15 years, and has a relative receiving care in the Oakhaven hospice.

Visit the Shut up Legs Just Giving page HERE