Hi everyone

Three Peaks Challenge by bike, August 2011

The traditional Three Peaks Challenge is to climb the highest mountain in Scotland (Ben Nevis, 1344 metres), England (Scafell Pike, 978 metres) and Wales (Mount Snowdon, 1085 metres) in twenty four hours, travelling between each peak by car. Total distance is about 460 miles. 

After a couple of pints one evening, we somehow concluded that it'd be a good idea to do away with the car bit and cycle instead. We'll still climb the peaks on foot as we'll use road bikes for the journey. We're therefore hoping to get the whole thing done in six or seven days as we're going to be completely self-sufficient - i.e. carry all of our own kit, camp and not use a support vehicle. 

Why? Good question. I'm hoping to raise some money for Cancer Research UK, which is the UK's leading cancer charity. For those of you who don't know, my dad has been heroically battling lymphoma for the past couple of years and the medical treatment he's received has been completely invaluable. Cancer Research UK are at the forefront of this kind of work and have contributed research to many of the leading treatments now in use. I'd consequently like to do a little to ensure that this great work can continue.

When? We're hoping to use the first week in August. We've built in a little flexibility with dates in case there happens to be an incredible week of weather (!?) forecast slightly before or after that week, though we appreciate that it's probably just going to rain!

How? The general consensus is that it's probably going to work best to start at Snowdon and head North. It'll be slightly more uphill all the way, but we'll hopefully be able to take advantage of the prevailing wind, which is South/South West. The itinerary is going to look something like this:

Day 1 - camp at Plas y Brenin (PyB) (the national outdoor centre, Gwynedd), cycle to Snowdon and ascend and descend the peak

Day 2 - cycle from PyB to North Wigan and make camp. Circa 100 miles

Day 3 - cycle from North Wigan to Scafell Pike (circa 85 miles), climb Scafell and camp at its foot

Day 4 - cycle from Scafell Pike to Thornhill, Dumfries and camp. Circa 105 miles

Day 5 - cycle from Thornhill, Dumfries to Tyndrum, Perthshire. Circa 105 miles

(If we're struggling to keep pace, we may split days 4 and 5 over three days to make it a week long affair)

Day 6 - cycle from Tyndrum, Perthshire to Fort William, Highlands. Circa 50 miles. Ascend and descend Ben Nevis. We'll then get a lift to Kingussie, Highlands and stay with my parents for a couple of days. 

What can you do? It would be incredible if you could make a donation to the cause, however small. I've set a fairly modest £500 as a fundraising target because it's not that far away now, but obviously the more, the better.

If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to get in touch on 07799 363 129 or drop me an email at alasdair.blackshaw@gmail.com

Thanks for taking the time to look.

Cheers

Alasdair