Lol brought back a unique "Cape Wrath" baseball cap for George as a special momento of this years epic trip (See picure). This is a generous gift that will be treasured. Thanks again Lol!

He's done it again!

Lol Bishop has arrived at the lighthouse at Cape Wrath in the mist having completed the final leg of his journey safely. Lol's suspect left knee has held up to the rigours of the journey from Cape Cornwall, unlike his rear wheel bearings which are "knackered" - to use Lol's technical language. Thankfully wheel bearings are more readily replaced than his knee!

We are waiting for him to find his way back home now and then we can hear how the journey went this year.

Well done Lol and thanks for all your efforts on behalf on The Teenage Cancer Trust.

Its all about to happen again!

Lol Bishop is getting ready for his epic adventure of 2010. This year he's calling it;

"The Cape 2 Cape"

which before you ask, is not about him being a Superhero (which he is!), its because he's going from Cape Cornwall to Cape Wrath. One might think that this is a clever way to knock a few miles off but No! Anyone who knows this great eccentric will know that he doesn't do things by half. Again this will be well over 1,000 miles unsupported. Lol's previous "complex" medical history has been compounded by the events of this year. Preparations have been almost nil as Lol suffered being knocked off his bike, a TIA or mini stroke and a persistent knee problem. Even more distressing for Lol was the death of his father who he would always visit during this event. Last year his Dad gave him something towards some new cycling gear only for someone to steal it off Lol's bike. Lol went to his father's funeral suffering the effects of the TIA and the good news was his reunion with his sister brought together in grief.

Lol is again raising funds for TCT with George Grant as his inspiration. George's ballet career was brought to a premature end by a brain tumuour and he endured surgery and radiotherapy with his ever present cheerful and laidback attitude. Whilst George been left with the scars and a significant left leg limp from his ordeal, he has gone on to study Sports Science at Bham Uni with his long term girlfriend Kelly who is studying physiotherapy.

Lol also gains inspiration from listening to music in his earpiece. His favourite is Thea Gilmour who he watched in concert in Stratford last Christmas. Thea kindly gave Lol a mention and signed his T shirt. Also this year he will be listening to Laura Veirs. Her July Flame album includes the touching track "Make Something Good" which kinda sums up what Lol does each year.

Thanks Lol and good Luck with your journey ahead.

Summary for 2009

Well he's done it again! 18 End to End journeys, all solo, rain or shine, over 18,000 miles! This type of endurance event tests the character of anyone taking part and Lol passes every time. It's not getting any easier for Lol but he still feels "the pull". He told me that when he left Cape Wrath this year he had planned to say "goodbye" but instead his eyes watered and he could only bring himself to say "See you later, Old Friend".

Lol's adventure was an emotional one for him this year. He rode with thoughts for George keeping him going and out on Dartmoor in the rain, George's Mom and Dad met him and they all went for supper. They presented Lol with a best wishes card from Thea Gilmour the talented musician who inspires Lol in his ear whilst he is cycling. A couple of days later Lol met his own Dad who is not in good health. He gave a gift to Lol who bought some cycling clothing for the journey only to have them stolen from his bike whilst he popped into a shop. This type of setback can be enough to take away the spirit of a solo cyclist but Lol resolved to put it behind him and get back on with his adventure. He found time to put a couple of messages on audioboo.com under his "macman" name - if anyone wants to hear Lol in person.

Further into the journey Lol met Joy Gill a McTimoney Chiropractor who said; "Well we finally managed to meet up with Lol in Wanlockhead. The intended meeting place, “The Old Youth Hostel” is no longer a youth hostel, so we were driving around this village asking in the pub, in all the B&B’ had they seen, or were they expecting a man cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats? This village is the highest village in Scotland built up two sides of the glen. At one point I was one side of the glen and I could see Lol, who had just arrived in the village, on the other. (He was at the old youth hostel, and we were at the B&B that were expecting him) Anyway by the time we got over the other side, Lol had vanished! I was beginning to think that we had seen a vision. Turns out he had gone to the pub for some food." Joy later treated Lol and introduced another patient/cyclist and reported their meeting in a local magazine, the Ayshire Post.

McTIMONEY CHIROPRACTOR IN AYR HELPS 2 CYCLISTS

 

Joy Gill, A McTimoney Chiropractor working from a clinic in Ayr has been to Wanlockhead to support Lol Bishop, who is cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. (TCT) Lol who has completed this mammoth cycle 17 times already, was inspired to raise money for the TCT this year after hearing the story of George. This young man was forced to give up a promising career in ballet after he was found to have a brain tumour, just before his 18^th birthday. When he heard George’s story, Lol didn’t hesitate to offer his support. Lol himself has been receiving McTimoney Chiropractic treatment for the past 20 years. He says that it keeps him “cycle fit” and had a McTimoney check up before setting off on this long ride, and will have one when he gets back to base.

 

Joy was joined at Wanlockhead by local cyclist Victor Possee, as he returned home from the European Masters Championships which were held in Manchester over the weekend.

Joy has in the past year been helping Mr Possee get fit and able to take part in the World Masters Track Championship in Sydney in September 2009. Victor said, “When I first phoned Joy back in August 2008, I was unable to train due to a shoulder injury, but I set her the challenge of getting me fit to compete in Australia in September 2009. Over the past year Joy has worked extremely hard, that not only am I fit and ready to go, but I have also become a National Scratch Race Champion, winning a gold medal in Newport at the beginning of July. I put this down to Joy’s amazing skills and treatment. I wouldn’t have done it without Joy and Louis, my massage therapist, working extremely hard.”

 

 

The Teenage Cancer Trust Charity understands that having cancer doesn’t stop teenagers being teenagers. They know that young people have a much better chance if they are treated by teenage cancer experts, in an environment tailoered to their needs. So we have created specialist units that aren’t like ordinary cancer wards. Everything about them has been designed to give teenagers the very best chance of a positive outcome. We want every young person with cancer in this country to be given a chance.

 

Well Done Lol!

Thank you for all your hard work and being an ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust. You and people like you, and all the people that support you with donations do so much for people like George.

Thank you so much.

 

First Post - Before the event

I've written this for Lol as he is too modest to write about himself.

Seven years ago I wrote an article for a local magazine about Lol Bishop when he was just about to cycle “End to End” -  Lizard Point to Cape Wrath (it’s a bit further than John O’Groat’s to Lands End!)

Lol’s story

As a youngster Lol was very keen to play football and was desperate to make the school team to make his Dad, a Blues fan, proud. Aged eight Lol was chosen for the team only then to be told that he couldn’t play. Unfortunately the school just couldn’t risk it as Lol at this young age, had already suffered over thirty broken bones because of brittle bone disease. The pain of being excluded from the football team hurt him as much as any of the broken bones. Lol with the determination that has become his trade mark, took up cycling instead. He hasn't stopped since! Having now passed his 50th birthday he isn’t sure how many more times he will make this epic journey. This year will be his 18^th End to End!

Back to today;

Lol works for the railways. His bones are now strong and he keeps 'cycle fit' with occasional chiropractic care for his back. Each summer he spends his holiday cycling 'End to End' raising funds for charity. He cycles without a support team, carries his own kit and organises everything himself. Each year he chooses a different charity to support. Last year he chose Arthritis Research after being inspired by a lady he helped who was struggling with her bags at the station. She thanked him and explained her difficulties were due to arthritis and Lol thanked her for helping him choose his charity for 2008!

This year he chose the Teenage Cancer Trust after hearing George’s story.

George’s Story

George also featured in a local magazine 7 years ago as one of Birmingham's "Billy Elliots". George was 'spotted' at a dance class and was offered the chance to audition for the Royal Ballet School. He gained a place, worked hard and made it all the way through to the final year of ballet school. In his year group he was one of only 5 British male ballet students and on track for a very successful career in ballet.

In the spring of 2008, just before his 18th birthday, George was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He under went extensive surgery & radiotherapy which left him paralysed down his left side -  his dream of being a dancer ended. George has however made fantastic progress, ironically, thanks to his amazing fitness from his years of dance training and is now able to walk with the aid of a stick. Throughout his treatment, George has kept his sense of humour and his optimism. He is planning to go to Birmingham University later this year to study Sports Science.

 

When Lol heard George’s story he didn’t hesitate to offer his support. Lol doesn’t like to be called a hero but each year he does something special and helps other people. I don’t know what defines a hero but I think of it as; an ordinary person who despite the odds, does something extraordinary for the good of others.

You too can you help make a difference to youngsters dealing with cancer. Thank you.

Kevin Grant

George's Dad and Lol's chiropractor.

All the money raised  will help the TCT  fund the new 6 bed unit at the Birmingham Childrens Hospital as well as helping to transform the unit's at the Queen Elizabeth and Royal Orthopaedic Hospitals. Although these hospitals are all in Birmingham the units provide care to all teenagers across the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Hereford & Worcester, Staffordshire & Shropshire.

 

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor Lol: Teenage Cancer Trust gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.