Dear Friends,

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. I have recently finished cycling around Wales, through the wind and rain, to raise money for the Severn Hospice, which offers support for the people of Shropshire and Mid Wales. 

 I left Aberystwyth last Sunday, November 23rd, for a trip which will take me six days and cover 508 miles. The first leg of my journey was 106 miles to St Davids ending in Carmarthen. On Monday I travelled though Llandeilo, skirting the Black Mountains down to Llanelli and on to Swansea and on Tuesday via Barry to Cardiff.  Both Monday and Tuesday were shorter distances and the weather was fairly kind - for the time of year.

 On Wednesday morning  I set off  from Cardiff at what felt like the crack of dawn for the longest leg of my journey - 109 miles  through Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenney, Hay on Wye and Bishops Castle to Shrewsbury where I arrived, worn out  and bone weary at 22.30.   Thursday took me through Bala, by 16.00 hrs,catching the worst of the weather over the Berwyn Mountains;  then over Foel Goch to  Bettws y Coed by 19.00 hrs -where I stopped to  enjoy a delicious lamb dinner, warm up and thaw my feet. Then it was on to Bangor, arriving not long after my ETA of 21.30.

Friday was my final day and the weather was glorious.  Even so, it was so hard to get started; it felt like every part of me ached.  Other than a light snow shower as I went through Beddgelert, It was beautiful sunshine all the way down the coast.  I stopped for lunch at the foot of Harlech Castle and then pushed on for fish and chips in Machynleth.  I made it back to the Band Stand in Aberystwyth at 21.10,  only 10 minutes late, which isn't bad for an 86 mile bike ride.

I really appreciate all your good wishes and sponsorship - it has kept me going when the going has got tough. A special thank you to all my kind hosts who welcomed me with good food and a warm bed. I slept like a log every night - not surprising really.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Severn Hospice gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. So please sponsor me.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement,   Stephen