Thank you so much for kindly sponsoring our unsupported bikeride from John O’Groats to Gibraltar. We have been overwhelmed by everyone’sgenerosity and with your support we have (so far) managed to raise the above (plus gift aid), which has been very gratefully received by Help for Heroes. 

 

Four countries and 2,300 aching miles later; over mountainranges, through bustling cities, and across vast stretches of arid plains, wecrossed the finish line at the peak of the famous Rock of Gibraltar on the 22^ndJuly. Still dazed from our final ascent, dripping with sweat, we knew we’dreached the end when we were ignobly saluted by the indigenous primates whoproceeded to mount our bikes!

 

What an adventure it has been! Not for a moment do we regretundertaking this challenge, but it has been an endurance test in more ways thanwe ever imagined.  We’ve lost countof the number of times we were left questioning our sanity and friendship,wishing we could just pack it all in! From the painfully stiff, inexperienced legs and the incessant saddlesores of the early weeks to the ferocious heat of Spain and the never-endinginclines of the Scottish Highlands and Pyrenees; the boundaries of our physicalabilities were really put to the test.

 

Of course, it was not all bad! Weaving our way south throughthe Scottish lochs, the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux and the empty expanses ofRioja, we viewed more than our fair share of majestic landscapes! The honkingcars, the cheers of support and touching hospitality of those who we met onroute were invaluable in spurring us on. One kind veteran, a 70 year old exTour de France cyclist in a moment of despair even gave us a new wheel!

 

Having had almost no biking experience prior to ourdeparture, it was an uphill struggle learning the ins and outs of our “wheels”.  Neither of us were particularly adeptat dealing with cycling shortcomings; however 17 punctures later we are nowmasters of the art!