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I have decided to do this cycle route because it covers most of the recruiting areas of former Regiments that now make up The Rifles.  I served 25 yrs in the Royal Green Jackets and I would like to do 'my bit' for the 'Riflemen' injured whilst in service.  I am one of the fortunate former Riflemen who want to show support for our fellow Rifleman of the New 'Rifles Regiment'.

In addition, I am also raising money for a Masonic Charity that offers financial assistance to 'Non Masonic Causes' for individuals and families who through no fault of their own find themselves in great need. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

UPDATE

The route taken I thought would be hardest in the Lake District, how wrong I was. 

The first part of the cycle ride was Poole to Dorchester, The Keep,  D&D museum.  Was met by Lt Col Mike Smith Rifles Recovery Officer and Maj (ret'd) Jeremy Russell and Mike a photographer whose wife is PR Manager for the Museum.  I was hoping to have met up with former D&D people but to no avail.  Still onwards and further north the road took me. 

North Somerset leading in to South Bristol - Shepton Mallett phew had a few seriously cheeky hills!  Nothing a Nuclear strike wouldn't flatten!!  Thankfully I was met by Brian Benjamin, former 1RGJ and RCT.  Brian kindly volunteered to lead me around and through parts of Bristol that kept me from the main busy traffic routes and took me to the Chepstow Severn Bridge crossing.  This was superb as I'm sure that the drivers in their haste to exit Bristol for the Queens Jubilee would have more than likely sent me off to Hospital.   Brian stayed with me until we had our photo's taken with 1Rifles and had a meal at our Hotel that evening.  The accommodation was superb at the rear of 1Rifles overlooking the River Severn and was kindly arranged and sorted by my very dear freind Maj Richard 'H' Heys, QM 1Rifles.  It was excellent to meet up with H, Shirley, his wife and his son, Ross, nowt better than 'family'.

Saturday 6.00am I left the hotel for a long day and bade farewell to my wife Terri who provided the safety cover for Fridays cycling.  This is because Peter Clark former 1RGJ, Rfn in my section late 70's in HK couldn't get Friday off but will join us on saturday.  30 minutes after starting off Peter past me by Chepstow racecourse.  My wife Terri was still at the Hotel about to have breakfast.  Therefore, I sent Peter back there to collect my bag which enabled Terri to go home instead of following me until Peter caught up.  This also meant that Peter might as well have the breakfast that was going to be mine!  I had energy bars to eat would have rather had a big cooked full English!  Peter caught up with me a couple of hours later between Monmouth and Hereford.  The roads I found very good just a little undulating and rolling not too steep.  In Hereford we stopped for a brew and a look around the Cathedral and took a couple of photo's of plaques of the King Shropshire Light Infantry former reg't of the the current Rifles.

Then it was off cycling north through the Shropshire countryside quite nice, through Shrewsbury (LI recruiting area) in to Chester and on in to Liverpool (recruiting area for RGJ's).  Accommodation that evening was supplied by Gareth 'Ginger' Dixon former Pl Sjt of Peter and I.  It had just started raining when I got there about 7.45pm Saturday long long day, tired. Therefore a nice chinese from the chippy on the corner 10mts away soon had me falling asleep so Ginger woke me and sent me to bed; grounded at the ripe old age of 56!  But no grumbles.

Sunday morning 06.00 off down the road in the rain and it did not stop until I was in the Lake District 6 hours later.  Just after Ormskirk I went across a bridge on a bend and as I truned the bend the water covered one side of the road MY SIDE!  This meant that i had to go through a very deep puddle with the cars overtaking me staying on the dry patch!  Still I was wet anyway but with no mud gaurds the water ended up running down my back in to my cheeks!  It didn't feel good at all.  By lunch time I met up with Peter for a brew and some lunch in Kendal a nice break and it was dry plus I thought I was doing well on distance and time.

That evening I planned to visit Maj (ret'd) Danny Hunt who had moved close to Haltwhistle on the A69 (Carlisle to Newcastle Road).  Danny had given me some advice to cycle up to Carlisle then down the A69 do not cross from Penrith up Hartside.  However as I explained to Danny it will add another 35 mile via Carlisle but Danny was adamant.  therefore, those who know me also know I've never been one to do as I'm told so off up in to Penrith and Hartside!  I knew from the very dark patches on the map it was steep and also thought (very foolishly) "you're still young at heart Billy", blinkin idiot is all I can say!! 8 mile later and at 1,903 foot on top of the Penines I was a gibbering wreck.  However, sweating, puffing and panting as I was I said to Peter, safety vehicle driver who was dressed in T Shirt and Shorts to get something else on to keep warm before taking a photo alongside the Hartside Plaque.  So off he walks back across the car park I thought to put his coat on but 5 minutes later he comes strolling across the car park fully dressed trousers on, jumper, fleece and a waterproof just whilst I had cooled down and was now shivering.  I asked him whether he was warm enough he replied lovely and warm!  Just what I needed to know due to me now shivering so I told him so.  However, Peter then said "you could have gone in the Cafe like I did whilst you was cycling up that 'hill' for a cuppa and a scone, they are really recommended!!!  Insult to injury and rubbing salt in!  Needless to say I had a photo at the top and cycled down to Alston by which time I had calmed down.  Then I had a lovely ride in to Danny's place; this is an area where I will have to come back to visit because it is simply drop dead fabulous countryside.

That night John 'Geordie' Toolin former Letter C Coy 1RGJ had arranged accommodation.  It was great to see him again and have a beer with him, just prior to us turning up at the Hotel over a bar, a former featherweight boxing legend of 1RGJ turned up 'Rocky Arnott', it was great to see both fantastic people; John thnak's very much for organising the accommodation at short notice another true member of the 'family'.

Next day Monday down to Leeds via Durham and Darlington.  Again, another fellow former Rfn contacted Peter using the telephone number we gave out prior to the ride: Dave Mason, former 1 & 3RGJ who lives in Darlington.   It was superb to meet up with him and have a coffee, we all laughed throughout this time together.  Thanks Dave.

Down through Northallerton, Rpon and in to Harroagte for a brief walk around with Peter.  The roads and countryside was very good slow rolling hills which was much appreciated by me although Peter said none of the hills had ever posed him a problem so far; it wouldn't because he was driving a 3.2 shogun!!  At times he could be very funny!!!  We set off and in to Harewood House where we were accommodated by Maj (GM) Laxmi Bhakta Bantawa Rai MBE former 10 GR.  Laxmi and I served as Sjt's together in Winterbourne Gunner DNBCC; a very good freind.  Whilst in Leeds we took time out in late afternoon to meet up with L/Cpl Martin Edwards, former 5 Rifles who was injured whilst serving in Iraq.  It was a priviledge and honour to meet up with a great warriour and superb young man, this is exactly what i was hoping to achieve on the ride to meet up with injured former Rfn just to let them know although we never served together the injured are not forgotten statistics.  Martin requires 24/7 care for the rest of his life.

The next day was supposedly relatively short 87miles however, as we went southwards Peter was contacted by Mick 'Killer' and Angie Hayley.  They arranged to meet me in Worksop by the railway, I got there first peter and his directions were on form he turned up after me and because of the driections he gave to killer they turned after him having gone to Doncaster! Unkowingly worst was to come for me at the end of the day with peter and his geographical errors!  Killer and Angie it was a great time having a chat with you.  Also the people inside the cafe/pub at Railway Station in Worksop thank you all very much for your kind donations; one person did not have enough money to give so he made a trip to a cash point and then came and donated; superb and thank you.

We were being hosted by Col Bertie Martin that eveining but we planned to be at his house for 6ish at the latest.  I did get a bit lost myself in one village which delayed me by 30 minutes becasue i went up and down the same hill 4 times before finding the correct road out!  However, peter had come back towards me on the route i eventually got on to.  He said he had spoken with the Colonel and it was straight on and across the Xroads.  Mmmmmm i carried on and cycled up Beacon Hill and i was aying to myself going up it, "you know why they call it Beacon Hill, Billy?  "Yes" I replied to myself "but don't worry, it is at the end of the ride".  However, 30 minutes later having gone up this hill across the crossroads Peter said we had to cross ending up at a T junction only to be told by Peter, "Cor I don't know where we are".  Well I picked up the the phone to the Colonel to ask for directions only to be told if you would have gone through the village at the bottom of Beacon Hill they are only a few hundred metres up on the right!   Wow just what I needed so I looked at Peter with 'LOVE' in my eyes and he blurted out that back in 1978 I had been horrible to him so this is his way of getting me back!!!  Laugh I could have cried but Peter laughed!  Needless to dsay within minutes we were in Heaven I mean Col Bertie Martin's house and grounds.  I have to say the most bueatiful house one could wish to stay in.  The hospitality and food were of the highest standards, again the 'Family' to the rescue.

Wednesday morning off to Milton Keynes again the roads were pretty good not too steep nothing like the Lakes or indeed Hartside; I should have listened to Danny!  About 20mile north of MK's I said to Pete, if it starts to rain come back with my waterproof and he said he would.  Well 8 mile for MK and three heavy showers later he turned up with my waterproof; the ride was a laugh a minute with Peter!  We got to the TA Centre and was greeted by Paul Axtell and Steve 'Ginger' Starkey.  It was great to see them both a very welcome sight.  'Family' again put us up Ginger and his partner Chris and another lovely meal.  It set me up for the final days ride.

Thursday 6.00am and off we went, cor getting out of MK's with all the new roads that were not on maps was different!  However, I ended up getting to Slough for 10.00am ish and had a bacon butty and brew in a service station.  I then headed off to Windsor Castle, great we got there and spoke with a member of the civilian guides, former PC in the Met.  He then donated which was great and got  a picture of hime handing the money over.  We then headed of to meet up with Dave Murray who escorted us in to RMAS where he had spoken with Col Roddy Windsor, Rifles.  Col Windsor notified General T Evans Rifles, and Commandant of RMAS and with some of the Rifles Instructors met me and hosted me it was a priviledge and an a serious honour to meet all the Instructors, Col Windsor and especially General Evans.  The cake and tea was superb as was the red book's presented to Peter and myself that each officer is presented with when they leave RMAS; i consider it a very serious honour and can't thank enough the training Team and General Evans for this book.

I then set off on the very last leg of the journey to RHQ Rifles, Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester where on the 14/9/71 at 14.30hrs I started my military career.  The overwhelming feeling of doing something to raise money for our 'Family' albeit regimental one and to the needy in Dorset, was actually spurring me on although by now it was raining heavy.  Again as before, no mud gaurds meant the rain went up my back initially but quickly ran down the centre into ............ and yes, it was cold and uncomfortable.

As I went through the gates of Peninsula Barracks I was met by current colleagues i work with in Southern Health NHS FT; Marie came out of the cafe (former Guard Room) shouting and Lin waving a banner that she had made and Scott looking at them smiling then Peter appeared from behind me saying he had got way laid in the one way circuit; I did explain that he should not have gone that way he could've turned right but hey, why change his habits of disorientation!

I was then met at the bottom of Short Block by the Col John Poole-Warren, Regtl Colonel for his sins he was a capt in JR Coy in '72 and my Major in IDB both occassions I was to cause him a bit of heartburn and indigestion to say the least; Maj (ret'd) David Day; Capt (ret'd) John Fitz-Dominey and last but not least C4C Co-ordinator Mrs Rebecca Maciejewska (aka Becca). 

Yes it was hard at times but extremely rewarding, it was certainly something that I could not have achieved on my own.  The team comprised of YOU, the donators of money and encouragement, my wife Terri on day one, the fantastic people who provided and secured accomodation and fed us; you were all fantastic. 

Last but not least my intrepid compainion and fellow rifleman and my very dear Mucker, 'Rfn' Peter Clark a man of extreme fortitude who kept me going and laughing throughout the long cycle rides.  I honestly believe that one cannot have had a better mucker than Peter to have beside you on a long lonely journey.  Peter, to me is the epitomy of a 'Chosen Man' of the highest calibre.  Thank you Peter.

However, it would be remiss of me not to mention the real reason for doing this journey, the guys who are now injured and who have now or will at some future time leave the ranks and enter civvy street; the Martin Edwards of this world; who lie injured and spend a lot of time on their own away from the 'blood' and 'Regimental' Families.  This cycle challenge is now over but for them it is continuous, please give them a thought and if you are near to an injured person please take the time to pop in just to let them know  that although you may never have served with them that their sacrifice is not now nor ever will be forgotten. 

Thank you all for your kind generosity.