Thanks for taking the time to visit my Lands End to John O'Groats JustGiving page for the Music Fund for Cuba. The Fund was launched by Kirsty MacColl's family after her tragic death, to help sustain the cultural life of Cuba's people in the face of the effects of the 50-year old illegal US embargo.

I'm celebrating/defying my 60th by cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats, about 1000 miles, with sons Joe and Thomas, and bro Dave and bro-in-law Gary; and with Julia, Sally and Sheila picking up the pieces. I am riding on the Brooks saddle presented to me when I completed my term as President of Sheffield UCU.

So many people have asked if I'm fundraising that I thought I'd better, and am doing it for the Music Fund for Cuba. For details see

http://www.musicfundforcuba.org.uk/

My brother Dave is blogging the ride at

www.chalkface39.blogspot.com

Thanks y gracias for any support you give.

18 AUGUST UPDATE

We made it on Sunday 14th! Tried in vain so far to put a pic up. 1037 miles and everyone's support helped us make it, not least Julia and Sal and earlier Sheila in the support team whose daily back-up made it so much easier. Can't believe we made it with so few problems. So chapeaux to Dave and Gary, Thomas and Joe, Joe not least as he must have set a record for doing it stood up on the pedals in high gears to reduce rotations and keep his gammy knees going! Dave's blog has loads of pics and comments btw, thanks to his iphone keeping going after it fell off his bike and damaged itself at the bottom of the first steep hill of the whole trip! Thanks also to the haggis and porridge for slowburn calories across Scotland.

11 AUGUST UPDATE

Thanks again for the support. Been in Scotland for four days now being reminded how grand it is - size and grandeur despite continuous rain yesterday. Reached Aviemore today after crossing highest point of whole route, in the Cairngorms, after 25-odd miles of gentle ascent. Rewarded with live band at one end of a bar, with Wednesday winning on penalties in cup on big screen at the other end. 3 days to go and whole team doing brilliantly.

6 AUGUST UPDATE

Big thanks for all the support to date. A week in and today we cross the Forest of Bowland to Kirkby-Lonsdale, with a foul weather forecast. After the really tough start in the west country, we have been in the picturesque and flatter midlands fro a couple of days and are now heading for the hills and Scottish Borders. All moving parts still functioning ...

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