Hello!

It's a while since I tried to hit all my friends for cash, and it's a while since my last cycling adventure - so I thought, why not combine the two? :)

Starting on June 9th 2007 I shall be cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End in order to raise some of the folding stuff for Asthma UK. This charity supports some fantastic awareness and research initiatives which help to support the 5.2 million (and growing daily) people in the UK with an Asthma condition (5,199,999 people plus me).

If you want to learn more about Asthma, look through the Asthma UK charity web site, or the entry on wikipedia.

My particular asthma condition is triggered by exercise, so if you see a wheezing cyclist by the side of the road, please stop and help ;)

I haven't finalised my route yet, but it will be somewhere between 900 and 1,000 miles, and will take between 2 and 2 1/2 weeks. I'm going to stay in Youth Hostels mainly, though I may try and scrounge a room for the night if I'm cycling past any of my generous sponsors!

Unlike many adventure charity type things, every single penny you sponsor me for will go to my charity - I am funding the expenses of the trip entirely myself.

This is a solo effort, so it's spare inner tubes and spanners in the rucksack - I'm not having a support vehicle or anything like that.

So, thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please do dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through the Just Giving site is simple, fast and secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me - Asthma UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Thank you so much for your support, I and the other 5,199,999 wheezers in the UK really appreciate it!

Cheers,
Norm


Update 07/05/2007

Well, there have been some changes - firstly now I'm doing it the other way round, Land's End to John O'Groats - I have to come in to work for one day in the middle (seriously, give me a break!) and this way round the scheduling works to allow me to do it. I've also moved my start date forward to June 7th!

Thanks so much to everyone who's sponsored me so far - I really do appreciate it.

Cheers,
Norm.


Update 31/05/2007

Thank you all so much for your generous donations so far - it's fantastic!

I'm now travelling down on Wednesday 6th June, and my first day of cycling is Thursday 7th. I am varying between nervous (due to lack of training and preparation - isn't it always the way!) and very very excited about the personal challenge. I will be seeing a few friends along the way, and all cups of tea and pies will be gratefully received :)

I've borrowed a small camera to take, so the trip will be well documented. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing the famous distance sign posts at each end!

I shall update this page again when I've finished - again thank you all so much for your support.

Cheers,
Norm.


Update 13/06/2007

Well I'm in Manchester at the moment - so I'm almost half way! Legs are holding out OK - and I've only been rained on once so far. up into the Lake District tomorrow, so plenty of gorgeous countryside to appreciate.

Thanks again to all my sponsors!

Cheers,
Norm.


Update 24/06/2007

I completed it! Current fundraising total is over A THOUSAND POUNDS (not including gift aid!) and there's more to come I'm sure - thank you all so much - particularly the B&Bs who gave donations via money off my bill.

The total distance travelled over the 14 days was 926.94 miles, I was cycling for 62 hours 39 minutes and 49 seconds, my average speed for the whole trip was 14.8mph, and my peak maximum speed was 43.3mph.

Thank you!
Norm.