Tuesday 14 August 2007



Awoohoo, he made it!!!!!!!!!! Haven't actually heard from him since so feel entitled to make up the ending. Having made it all the way from Lands End to John O Groats armed with nothing but his bicycle (and some clothes, for decencies sake), he was abducted by a wild haggis clan who are holding him to ransom. Think / hope you can all guess whats coming next. In order to free him from their evil clutches you will have to make a donation at www.justgiving.com/gbendtoend07 . The alternative story could be he is having a well deserved break with Linda and Nancy, but I know which story I believe. Give money.


The last leg of the journey, and yes it is still raining.


This is the view at the top of the Cairngorms on the A6 on the way to Inverness. Now don't panic, he's not been eaten by a haggis or discovered the secret of invisibility, he's merely got off to take the picture. Think I'm beginning to get a bit obsessed with the haggis, do you think he will get the hint and bring me one back?
110 miles later at an average of 16 miles per hour, in the continuous rain, he's made it to Inverness, only another 130 miles to go, a walk in the park (if the park was 130 miles long obviously)

Speaks for itself really

doesn't it. For those of you who are a bit pants on the whole geography front, he's heading for Inverness.


Still in Scotland and still raining, but this time it's that fine rain, the rain that soaks through. However the wind was on his side (insert comments here), and he made it to Edinburgh in good time, then got lost and cycled up a big hill unnecessarily, as if cycling the length of two countries (yes surprisingly the Scottish consider themselves to live in a separate country) wasn't enough. Despite this (the detour, not Scotland being a separate country) he made it to Perth by 5pm.

Another day another bit of cycling. This time it took Alan (note there is just one left, but not to worry, Rick wasn't attacked by a haggis, he just gave up) along the famous Shap Pass (again his words, not entirely sure where he gets his definition of famous from), in the rain, (note also that now he is over the boarder it is raining).

After having a stop at home, the cycling continued, with a mammoth 157 miles covered in just 1 day. The down side to this is that they passed the boarder and are now prone to attack by the savage wee beastie that is the haggis.

Monday 13 August 2007

Just a quick message to say Peter hasn't gone on strike, but is working away at the moment, and doesn't have internet access. He will update when he gets back. For those of you who can't wait, they made it, or at least Alan did. Still not too late to sponsor them though.

Thursday 9 August 2007


Yesterday was an enormous effort, after setting off from Tewkesbury at 7 o’clock, yes that time in the morning does exist, I checked on Google, the guys managed an impressive 140 miles and arrived at Ramsbottom at 6 o’clock (in the evening, they haven't achieved time travel speed just yet).
Although they managed a great effort, the day didn't go without a hitch, as the bearings in Alans bottom bracket (no comments please) failed on the way so they had to limp to Manchester, where it was mended by the wonderful people at the world famous Harry Halls cycles, free of charge. (Obviously when I say world famous, those are Alans words)
Don't get too confused, they haven't drifted off course. This picture was taken at Newcastle Under Lyme and not Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Here's a picture of the permanent view Alan has looking down at his handle bar bag, note the bag of nibbles tucked at the side, and note the lack of Mars bars, someone has their priorities wrong.

Monday 6 August 2007


Only day three and already disaster has struck, yes I'm talking about the Nemesis of every cyclist, THE PUNCTURE. Not one to do things by half, 100 yards later Alans tyre also split. Obviously his bike isn't used to this much work (more practise I think). However, despite the set backs they have heroically managed a further 120 mile, which has brought them to Tewksbury, where they are considering trading in their bikes for canoes.
Picture of Rick heading towards the Clifton suspension bridge.

Sunday 5 August 2007

Off to a good start

Having taken my advise to heart, the lads decided to put in that extra bit of effort today, and have upped the daily mileage by 100 miles. Thats right, the crazy duo managed a magnificent 120 miles today, in the baking sun, and are now relaxing, deservedly so, at the Travel Lodge in Tiverton. And yes, relaxing can be interpreted as heading straight for the bar. Lets hope they don't relax too much or we could be back to 20 miles a day. By the way, remember they aren't doing this for fun, well not completely anyway, so if you would like to sponsor them you can at www.justgiving.com/gbendtoend07

and so it begins


The brave cyclists (some would say daft, most would say stupid), set off on the drive down (bit lazy if you ask me). The plan was to camp for the night at Lands End, and then set off in the morning, having said that, planning seems to have been thrown out of the window and they have already started the cycling and done the first 20 miles already. Well done lads, although can I just point out that you may wish to put in some extra effort on the next day as 20 miles a day isn't going to get you very far. Nice touch with the complementing outfits by the way.

Sunday 22 April 2007


Iain Airth, Richard Millner and Alan Holden