Stephen's 1000 Mile Cycle Challenge

The road distance between John o' Groats and Lands End is 874 miles but my route took me along 1081 miles (1730 km) of roads. Most days I cycled more than a 100 miles and I didn't enjoy the  uphill stretches as I pulled my trailer with my tent, sleeping bags, clothes and everything else I needed. The views from the top of the hills or mountain passes were quite amazing. I have some amazing memories to keep from the trip but I'm relieved to finish knowing that I have helped to raise some money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

My son and one of his class mates receive treatment from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and in my work in schools I have met many other children who have been helped there. The doctors and nurses that I have met at GOSH have been wonderfully supportive with my son's condition of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. I am always impressed by their child centred approach and facilities, as the staff meet the needs of children with heart renching conditions and illnesses including sadly, those with terminal prognosis. Those of us that are parents can fully understand the anquish of seeing your child seriously ill and I hope that in sponsoring me you feel that you have contributed to a really worthwhile cause. Great Ormond Street Hospital needs about £50 million each year to continue their work so your money will be well used.

Thank you for supporting me.

Stephen :-)

Remember if you are a tax payer by gift aiding your donation GOSH will get even more!

For those of you interested in the route details:

Day 0-1 I took the overnight train to Scotland and arrived at Thurso at 2:30pm - I cycled to Dunnet Head and then on to John o' Groats. After officially starting I cycled to Wick where because of the poor weather I did not go on to Dunbeath as I had hoped (Total distance: 47 miles)

Day 2 - Cycled Wick to just beyond Inverness (120 miles)

Day 3 - Cycled to North Queensferry (149 miles)

Day 4 - Cycled to English border (80 miles)

Day 5 - Cycled to York (131 miles)

My birthday - Rest day in York (Est. 0 miles!)

Day 6 - Cycled to Grantham (109 miles)

Day 7 - Cycled home to Surrey (135 miles)

Rest day at home

Day 8 - Cycled to Sherborne (117 miles)

Day 9 - Cycled to Saltash (106 miles)

Day 10 - Cycled to Lands End! (86 miles)