Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
You will notice from one of the attached photos that I went on a little sortie last year from home to Lands End. During this trip I met a few 'mad' people who were attempting to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats which set me thinking. This year my plan is to head south from John O'Groats on Saturday 10th July, most probably against prevailing SW headwinds, as fast as humanly possible to Cornwall (950 - 1050 miles). Those that know me well will know that I am far from athletic, however the driving force, apart from raising money for such a worthy cause, will be the promise of a pint and Cornish pasty when I reach my destination - I think I will have earnt it!
My sister-in-law Natalie (see photo) is a paramedic on the Air Ambulance and through this connection I have come to realise what an essential service they provide, which is funded solely through charitable donations and sponsorship.
I understand that there are so many demands for sponsorship for so many good causes that you may be already committed, however, any donation no matter how small, will make a big difference.
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.
10/07/2010 Day 1 Left John O'Groats at 10:15 in sunshine and arrived in Inverness at 21:00 in the rain. To see route visit:- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/39941173
11/07/2010 Day 2 Set off from Inverness at 08:30, hard work as uphill all the way, very windy with showers. Felt like giving up so stopped for hot soup and half an hours rest then set off again. Luckily it was mainly downhill to Pitlochry. Route:- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40044822
12/07/2010 Day 3 Set off at 08:15 and cycled just over 120 miles, ending up about 30 miles south of Edinburgh, near Galashiels. Garmin playing up so unable to download the data. Sarah passed a group of cyclists on the Forth Road Bridge who had set off from J O'G 5 hours before me. Finished late - only place that was still serving food was an Indian restaurant - very good curry!
Phil at Garmin has sorted the missing day:-
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40619203
13/07/2010 Day 4 Only managed 91 miles today, very 'hilly', the worst so far! finished late, mainly as I insisted on getting up the formidable Shap sumit.(1400 ft) in the rain.We managed to get supper - Chinese this time, in Penrith. For route visit:- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40310637
14/07/2010 Day 5 Sarah took me back to the summit at Shap, fantastic start as I was in Kendal in no time, then got very confused with the 'new' one way system. Garmin was not helping either so lost some time, onwards to Lancaster, lost again, hel[ed this time by Sarah who was remotely guiding me from a warm cafe! Finally got to Preston with the intention to carry on for another 2 hours, THEN the most spectacular storm with torrential rain and had to call it a day. Route:- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40423755
15/07/2010 Day 6 Left at 09:15 this morningand had a good run down the A49 in spite of strong headwinds. Arrived in Ludlow at 20:00 in the rain (99 miles). Need a hot shower and supper! Route:- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40529652
16/07/2010 Day 7 Left Ludlow at about 10:00 and got lost in the town - not a good start! Good cycling conditions today and plenty of steep hills. Managed to find the Severn bridge and skirt round Bristol, arriving at our hotel just south of the airport at 21:30, then enjoyed a pint of Boddingtons after a quick shower. Route:-http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40640080
17/07/2010 Day 8 Left Bristol early, lots of ups and downs, finished quite late just over the Tamar at Launceston. Route:- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40760579
18/07/2010 Day 9 Set out soon after 9am and arrived at Lands End at 16:45, got my photo taken and had a mug of coffee - it was too cold for a beer! I met Will, a fellow "end to ender", who had arrived a little time before me and we spent about three hours comparing notes on our trip. Now off to celebrate in the pub and have that beer I promised myself! Route:- http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40917451
