End2Endin10 - A summary

It's now a week since we finished riding from one end of Scotland to the furthest point of England visiting Wales on the way. It was great and I'd encourage anyone to give it a go if they enjoy cycling. I think you have to enjoy cycling! A lot!

Lots of peolple have done the End2End and many more will do it in the future but I think I was very lucky to take part in an event that was so well organised. Andy Unstead (who was once at Ashleigh Primary himself) has spent the best part of 18 months planning the event and the team has raised £30,000 for the three charities we supported.

So what were the best bits and what did I learn?

Riding with 9 other guys from different backgrounds and different ages, definately! They all made me laugh so much it was great and I'm sure we will stay good friends for years to come! The scenery is stunning. We have a beautiful island and Scotland in particular is breath taking but has midgies! England (especially Devon) is more pretty but Scotland takes your breath away. The Lake District is called the Lake district because it rains a LOT! Cornwall has the most hills or at least it did the way we went. You can eat and drink as much as you want on a trip like this and you won't put on weight at all. I think I ate all day, non stop, chocolate, cakes, fry ups, anything. You need sleep though - 8 hours minimum each night! Lack of sleep really takes it's toll! Texts from friends and family are great for motivation and sometimes give you a lump in your throat. Neither Andy Brock (my room mate) or I snore! It's something our wives lie about!

Sleeping in a hostel dorm with 9 other blokes made me cry with laughter and feel like I was 10 years old again! Learning lots from experienced cyclists like Andi Timothy about cycling etiquette. How generous other people are who will lend you an expensive bike, mend a puncture in the rain, lend you a pedal, carry a box, bag or make you a cuppa at the end of a long day. I learnt that I do break a lot of stuff! I learnt how long and big our country is and how comfy my own bed is.

Oh ...and the best way to see it is definately from a bike.

And finally how rubbish at blogging I am!

One of my favourite memories. The End2End pelaton on a last little climb by the loch, heading to the hostel at Fort William, everyone tired in the sunshine and needing a shower,food and a beer (for some!). I had 1 mile to get rid of the peg and time was running out!

Day 10 Oakhampton to Land's End - Rain, rain, relief, euphoria and more rain!

Out of the mist we came, ten tired, very happy End2Enders after 1062 miles!

That's me at the back punching the air (or rain!)

And Red Leader had laid on champagne and pasties for celebrations. What a star!

If I hadn't said before, it rained, all day for our last 101 miles. It didn't put off 30 or so other riders who had come along to lift our spirits and help drag us through the last day. There were lots of guys I knew who had come along and as a result the last day was pretty easy, chatting and telling tales about our adventure. We even went the wrong way a couple of times and did a few extra hills around St Agnes.One rider was my son Sean who wanted to ride the last 100 miles but I wouldn't let him because the A39 (Atlantic Highway) was very busy, brakes weren't working very well and the wind was gusting strongly across the road. In a big bunch this can be very dangerous. Instead he joined us just before the steep hill out of Portreath for the last 30 miles and then left me miles behind as his fresh legs went way to fast for his tired 'old' dad!

We were met by a fantastic crowd of very noisey families and friends and although we couldn't see much of Land's End the people made the finish the best thing I've seen all year! Thank you!

We had great fun showering each other with champagne and chomping on pasties.

I think it would be hard to ride an event so well organised and with such great company as this adventure has been. I've ticked the box but doubt I'll be doing it again. Other adventures, yes but 1062 miles in 10 days... you'd have to be mad to do that!