Story
Thank you so much to everyone who has kindly sponsored me. I've now completed the trip which was a fantastic experience. The pleasure far outweighed the pain. The thought of everyone's generosity helped to spur me on and the regular use of a freeze spray on the old knees helped too! Seeing as I'd never previously ridden more than 100miles in a day, I was also relieved not to have a sore ar*e!
For anyone interested in a brief day by day account (of what ended up being 956 miles), here it is:-
DAY 1 (16th May):- Start at Land's End (obviously!). 135 miles to Exeter. Average speed 15.4mph. No sleep the night before due to YHA snorer. Joe kindly joined me up to Tavistock to help with the pace! Joe's brother Ben provided donuts in Truro. Mike and Chris Bickell provided great handwritten posters east of Gunnislake (even if I didn't see the first one!).
DAY 2:- to Redbrook (just south of Monmouth) 124 miles. Av speed 15.3mph. Navigating around Bristol to get across the Severn Bridge was 'interesting'. Kind lady in Sexey's Arms donated £5. Got drenched through the beautiful Wye Valley. Landlord of The Bell Inn in Redbrook donated packed lunch for the next day...
DAY 3:- to Warrington 140 miles. Av speed 15.2mph. BMW driver got out of his car to remonstrate with me even though he gestured first! Great scenery for most of the day. Lovely couple (Carol & Billy) running Miffy's roadside trailer cafe donated £5 and 2 Mars Bars. Got drenched again.
DAY 4:- to Carlisle 127 miles. Av speed 15.4mph (got drenched again). Knees really hurting. Met friendly couple in Kendall from Dulwich Paragon (cycling club) and rode with them through more incredible scenery into the evening sunshine to Penrith via Shap. Evening Guinness helped supplement iron requirements.
DAY 5:- to Largs 130 miles. Av speed 15mph. Incredible stretch just north west of Dumfries heading for Moniaive. Mum & Dad drove up from Devon & caught up with me in the middle of nowhere. Possibly the most memorable view of the trip descending into Largs - stunning. Knees hurting even more! Fantastic B&B owners in Largs donated bananas the next day...
DAY 6:- to Fort Augustus 155 miles. Av speed 16mph. Loch after Loch provided more incredible scenery. A kind lady running an Inveraray cafe donated £10 and the landlady of the hotel in Fort Augustus generously donated our evening meals. Shame about the party someone was having that night until 4am!
DAY 7 (22nd May):- :- final stretch to John O'Groats 145 miles. Av speed 14.7mph. Past Loch Ness but no sign of Nessie! Yet more spectacular Scottish scenery. Finished at 10.30pm with beautiful weather, flat seas and a pastel shade sunset lighting up the Orkneys to the north - with Mum and Dad waiting with Champagne!.
P.S. the photograph was taken the next day by the offical John O'Groats photographer as he only works from approx 10am to 5pm!
The charity I have been fundraising for is the Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association (GUCH) who help young people and adults born with heart problems. GUCH were recommended to me by Dr Mark Turner in Bristol, who helped me following a Stroke which was caused by a common genetic heart defect (a PFO otherwise known as a hole in the heart) and which has left me with permanent damage to my eyesight.
Justgiving is totally secure and the most efficient way to donate to the Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association. As a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
Yours gratefully, Bruce