We are off. We completed our first day with no serious mishaps if you don’t count the bee committing suicide on my face. As it fought to get free of my glasses it did what bees do. Ouch! 

It was an excuse to stop for fruity flapjack and coffee. Message to self. Patent fruity flapjack as remedy for bee sting, does nothing for the pain or swelling but gums up your teeth so stops you moaning.

85 miles complete in sultry conditions guided by Chris who did a great job navigating.

Reminder to self check his tyre pressure seems to be far too easy to leave me spluttering on the climbs.

Massive thank you for all the great support and everyone’s generosity. Thinking of Johnathan brings it all home.

I’ve completed many sportifs in the UK one in Germany another in Belgium and the Coast to Coast twice. Lands End to John O Groats is a completely different challenge.

I have been part of a cycling group of one sort or another  for many years including riding with the East Riding Tuesday Casuals.

Jonathan was one of our regular riders but my Team Leader for over ten years as we worked together at East Riding. Jonathan retired in May 2017 after a full life as a father, husband, and planner only yo be diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2017. Jonathan and I shared many passions vintage cars, hill walking, and cycling. He was a lovely man who I came to rely on in the office, but more importantly became a real friend.

He lost his battle 12 months after retirement, following a brave, polite, but unsuccessful fight with this horrible disease.He was always such a calm, quiet deep thinker, a professional man, who I and many others sorely miss.

I plan on completing the challenge in 12 days around 85 miles a day, starting on 22nd July with the following itinerary

1- Lands End to Camelford - Taunton - Coleford - Bridgnorth - Lymm - Sedburgh - Annan - Glasgow - Glencoe - Inverness - Crask - John O Groats.

This totals 1000 miles and around 17,500m of climbing.

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