A SECOND-HAND bike purchased from the Salisbury Salvation Army was put through its paces as its new owner cycled 800 miles from Salisbury to France.

The bike was purchased from the second-hand cycle shop in Salisbury in December 2024 for £65.

The new owner, Anthony Binns, made only a few modifications, adding a bottle holder and a rear cycle track.

He said: “I was told that it would be a good bike for cycling around Salisbury, however, my plan was more ambitious.”

On May 1 this year, Anthony cycled to Portsmouth, where he caught the ferry to St Malo before arriving at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenean foothills – a total distance of 800 miles.

READ MORE: Salisbury pub named in Telegraph’s 500 best pubs in England

READ MORE: Plans for 74 homes approved with 342 homes in the pipeline

READ MORE: Salisbury man grows from shy volunteer to confident mentor with bike recycling project

Anthony praised the quality of the second-hand bike.

He said: “I had no mechanical issues, no punctures. I didn’t even need to pump up the tyres. The only maintenance was to oil the chain.

“The surfaces varied from tarmac to concrete to gravel to dirt tracks and the weather ranged from temperatures of +30°C to thunderstorms, hail and lightning. The bike coped admirably.”

Anthony said that as the next stage of his adventure meant he had to travel by foot as he embarked on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela, he donated the bike to a “very grateful” worker at the hostel where he stayed.

He added: “Many thanks to the volunteers at The Salvation Army for providing me with such a reliable and comfortable cycle.”

The Salvation Army has a forecourt on Salt Lane full of all types of pre-loved bikes available to purchase.

For more information, visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salisbury