UPDATED 13 OCTOBER 2009: THE END! I completed the trip on 9th October, after 992 miles (1,596km) and 17 days of cycling. It was a great experience. Thank you all very much for your kind donations, the website remains open to new donations for a little while longer.
You can find some info on why I wanted to do the bike ride below, as well as more about Street Child Africa. I kept a blog up to date during the trip which you can find at: www.chrismichaelbrooks.blogspot.com
The original text before I set off:
So why and when am I cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End?
It all started when I was asked, quite some years ago, whether I had any interest in running a marathon. The answer was simple – alas no, unfortunately my knees are not up to it (phew!).
That was of course a rather pathetic answer on its own, and it was all too easy to add that, instead of a marathon, I do fancy cycling Lands End to John O’Groats one day, which I thought sounded more impressive.
Fast forward to today and I now have time for such a trip, for the first time in 15 years. As Scottish weather tends to deteriorate quite rapidly once summer is over, I thought I had better get on with it. The flight to Wick got booked for the 21 September.
The plan is to cross the start line at John O’Groats on the 22 September and aim to finish at Lands End about two and a half weeks later. The distance is expected to be just over 1,000 miles/1,600km, averaging about 60 miles/95 km a day, with some shortish days (meaning also some longish ones) to allow a good lunch here and there with family and friends along the way.
Training has not exactly been text book, and the limbs and joints are somewhat untested over such a distance, so some flexibility is likely to be needed (particularly if weather is bad)! The recommended route is to go the other way, starting at Lands End (prevailing westerlies behind you), but cycling uphill to Scotland just didn’t seem right – we shall see if I live to regret that decision!
It’s a solo, "unsupported" trip, so I'll carry everything with me on the bike, but hopefully my friend Duncan will be able to join me for the Cotswolds leg and my step dad Louis on the final Cornish leg. I have however ruled out camping!!!
I am undertaking this challenge for a very worthy cause, raising money for Street Child Africa. It’s a charity I have been supporting for a few years now (please see below).
And by popular demand, to incentivise you to dig just a little deeper, I have agreed not to shave for the duration of the trip! The much anticipated question is what colour will the beard grow – black or grey? - I fear the worst…
Who is Street Child Africa?
Street Child Africa is the leading UK charity devoted to helping street children across Africa. It works in partnership with African organisations who adopt a street-based approach to seek out and befriend street children, offering them guidance from trustworthy adults, education, medical care, baby care, skills training, vocational sponsorship, a place in the community, and a chance to choose a different path in life.
Street Children are amongst the most vulnerable children in society. Worldwide, children forced to live and work on the street without safe parental or adult care and support, are exposed to many risks that can damage their health, develop long term health problems and expose them to life threatening diseases. Your donation can make a real difference. For example, £30 will support a street child in school for one year and £100 will pay a street worker, a trusted trained adult in Africa’s city streets to listen to, guide and protect street children, for one month.
See the Street Child Africa website for more information (www.streetchildafrica.org.uk); I understand that a new website and newsletter will be launched in October
It goes without saying that none of the donations go to fund my trip!
Information on Just Giving
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now for Street Child Africa.
Thank you for your donation - it is very much appreciated and will keep me going when the going inevitably gets tough.
