Lands End to John O'Groats (850 miles) in under 4 days

COMPLETED IN 3 DAYS 22 HOURS 50 MINS  !!!!

We have just returned from Scotland after finishing the 850 mile Land's End to John O' Groats ride unsupported in 3 days, 22 hrs , 50 mins. We rode from 4pm Monday through the 1st night getting to Worcester (257 miles)  in 24 hours ,where we had 5 hours sleep before setting off at midnight for Carlisle (215 miles) arriving there at 8:30pm on Wednesday. 3 hours sleep and we were away again at 2am headed for Aviemore (200 miles) where we arrived at 8:30 , had a final 2 hours sleep and at 1am tackled the final 162 miles to John O'Groats , finally arriving at 3pm (1 hour 10mins ahead of target ) .

 Most sane cyclists , including myself in 1989,  take around 9 days for this ride so it was a real extreme challenge. We  burnt around 10,000 calories per day, and endured heavy rain and strong winds in anything but Summer conditions , so it was  mentally as well as physically extremely tough .

Here is a link to the route we used  http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/LEJOG-CRACKNELL

Together we are hoping to raise up to £3,000 for the Addenbrookes Hospital Children's oncology ward C2, which is the children's oncology ward and are dedicating our efforts to Mark Nichols, the 11 year old son of a friend and Lloyds colleague, Debbie Nichols, who we hope will make a speedy recovery under their care.

Mark, a healthy happy-go-lucky chap, gifted musician and Newcastle United supporter, suddenly became ill in February with headaches and sickness and was diagnosed with a brain tumour 5 days later. After 2 major brain operations at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge, he now faces 4-5 months of treatment: chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. 

Debbie commented, "Naturally, our world has been turned upside down, but we genuinely feel so lucky to be looked after by such a professional, caring team at the hospital. The consultants’ dedication and the standard of care is exemplary and our eyes have been opened as to what an impressive and amazing place the NHS is when you need it. In particular, we have already spent time in Ward C2 at Addenbrookes and will spending several more weeks there in the near future."

Addenbrookes is highly regarded for the excellence of care provided for its paediatric cancer patients. Ward C2 is the specialist paediatric oncology ward, and the staff there go out of their way to make it as positive as possible for the children. Fundraising is key, and is used for specialist ward equipment, additional specialist nurse training and various entertainments and activities for the children, enabling them to provide the complete comprehensive care so necessary for children facing difficult long-term treatments in hospital, for example including such things as a schoolroom, a parents day room, well stocked rooms to keep teens and younger children entertained and a dedicated cook and physio. C2 has wider project ideas in hand, which all aim to keep improving the specialist care for children.

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