Land’s End to John O’Groats Cycle Ride – June 2009
Our huge thanks and tremendous admiration go out to Dr Neil Rushton, who has just completed a gruelling 1052 mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats. And that’s having already completed a climb to Island Peak Summit in the Himalayas in April.
Neil and his team have now raised more than £5,000 for the NET Patient Foundation towards their goal of £7,500.
Neil, we are so grateful to you, and to your friends and family, for doing such an amazing job this year.
To help Neil reach his target, please visit his Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/neilrushton
To read more about Neil’s Himalayan climb, click here
And here are some exerpts from Neil’s diary as he cycled from one end of Britain to the other…
Lands end to John of Groats
Day 1: Lands end to st.Agnes 40 miles
Beautiful sunshine set off a 9:30. No signpost at Lands End as man doesn’t put it on till 10am and charges £10 a picture-no takers!
Lunch at st.Ives sang in a pub collected £40.Kind Ice cream lady gave us free ice cream from Mr. Wippy! Met man with a large cross on wheels who wished us luck and said a prayer for us.
Stayed in B&B- very old fashioned caravan and summer house owned by 80 year old Dorothy.
Day 2: Launceston 66miles
Very tough day constantly up and down, no wonder they call it the Cornish Alpes! Camel trail was a very welcome relief, long climb out of camelford to 930feet. Lovely ride to Launceton, still nasty headwind. Stayed at white hart hotel.
Day3 Launceton to Samford Peverell 62miles
Another very hard day in the saddle through Lewdon and Bribestowe to Okehampton via the granite way.
Called in a college surgery to say hello, great evening at the Globe with friends and family.
Day 4 Samford Peverell to Axbridge 50 miles
Very sunny day followed the canal to Taunton then took it too far and ended up in Bridgewater. Varied the route to miss some on the Mendips. Stayed in a motel met people doing a pilot for television about LEEJOG along the lines of Bill Bryson, interviewed on video… could be on telly!
Day 5 Axbridge to Chepstow
Sun still shining long pull passed Bristol airport to Severnshed for lunch courteousy of David Paterson. Through industrial Avonmouth, of the original Severn bridge into Wales.
Day 6 Chepstow to Whitney-on-wye 54 miles
Glorious Welsh scenery from Chepstow to Monmouth and Abbey Dore. Late lunch in a beautiful georgian mansion, run by a chinese family. Golden valley took us eventually to Whitney-on-Wye via tollbridge to the Boat Inn where we sang for the diners. Recieved money from all the waiter tips for the charity.
Day 7 Whitney on Wye to Greatness 54 miles
Owners of the pub made us sandwiches, very sunny day. Went through country lanes and visited 3 churches. Terry stayed outside for the last one, and received a puncture from the church notice board…..divine intervention.
Weather getting worse, had a late lunch in Bischops Castle. Terry manages to loose Neil and Chris who hve no map in the heavy rain! No mobile reception, eventually found him in a pub. Great evening with the Mcloud family.
Day 8 Greatness to Chester 48 miles
Dreadful weather all day, saving grace was a following wind. Given a fre tea in Ellesmere, carried on, getting very wet! Arrived at Chester following river Dee. Stayed in B&B and dried off.
Day 9 Chester to Liverpool 20miles
Slow morning navigatin the Wirral. On to Birkenhead, took the mercey ferry to Liverpool… Singing . Stayed in Jury Hotel in Liverpool’s new docks. Chris manages to knock two wine glasses off the table! Long walk though Liverpool to find a meal.
Day10 Liverpool to Garstang 55miles
Urban cycle ride though Victorain relics. Eventually reach Southport had a coffee on the pier. Navigated Preston and visited Lancaster canal found a cow in the water! Met Neils sister Joy for an evening meal.
Day11 Garstang to Kendel 40miles
Easy riding to Glassons dock visited Carnford railway station to watch a re-make of breif encoutner. Sadly Neil had his wallet stolen and Terry lost his sunlasses. Lets hope the thrief needed the money more than we did. Terry managed to feel his way thorugh country lanes, untill he found some new glasses in Kendel. Stayed with Andy and Chris, in their lovely home.
Day 12 Kendel to Kirkbride 60miles
Beautiful cycling 1st to Ambleside for chocolate overdose! Up to Dunmail path to Ghreheld for lunch. By small lane to Blenchgrha to Coldbeck. Visited John Peels grave, Neil thought it was the musician! Wonderful downhill to Wigton, stayed with Neil’s Niece.
Day 13 Kirkbride to Thronhill
Great journey into Carlile with following wind. Said goodbye to Andy and gave him ‘Vasco’s Vellos T-shirt’. Finally into Scotland at Gretna Green in towards Arran. Visited Dum Freis trough hailstones! Stayed in Thrornhill with Danish family.
Day 14 Thornhill to Arran 65miles
Very long day in the saddle to reach Ardrossan for the 3.15 ferry, good cycling along A71, if all a bit boring. Arran most beautiful island with tropical palms.
Day 15 Arran to Loughgilperd
Over mountain pass to west of the island most beautiful cycling along the coast with views of Jura and distant islands. Cycling a real pleasure. Ferry off the island across woodland to Tarbert. Then by Lock Fynne to Crinnan, stunning landscapes along the Lock. Terry talking about bring boat up here in the future.
