Some of you may be aware that I am a serial adventurer and have, in the past, undertaken a number of extreme ultra-endurance challenges around the world. Due to the current global Covid restrictions, my latest challenge is rather closer to home and is what I’m calling a Land’s End to John O’Groats Three Peaks Challenge.

Not content to do another “simple” Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride, I thought it would be interesting to combine cycling “End to End” with a reverse Three Peaks Challenge.

The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales. And for those who don’t know, the three mountains are Snowdon in Wales (1,085m), Scafell Pike in England (978m) and Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,345m). Including each of these peaks whilst cycling the length of mainland Britain greatly increases the total distance covered.

Although I’m sure you can ride up each of the mountains, on this occasion I will content myself with running (or probably walking) up each peak.

The real challenge is that I am undertaking this ride solo and unsupported, which means having to carry all my equipment, spare kit, emergency medical supplies, food and water on my bike or in a rucksack when I’m climbing.

To add a bit more of a personal challenge, I will also be taking on some of the hardest cycle climbs in Western Scotland on my circuitous way from Ben Nevis, via the Isle of Skye, to my finish in John O’Groats, something I’ve wanted to do since getting myself “cycle fit”.

With these minor diversions, the estimated total distance cycled will be 2,192 kilometres (1,370 miles), although, from experience, the final distance is often much higher when the necessary side trips for pee breaks and to find food and accommodation are factored in.

Distance is one thing, but the really hard bit is cycling uphill. The estimated climbing is 26,380 metres (86,550 ft.) or, put another way, the equivalent of cycling up Mount Everest three times!

For the pedants among you, the Three Peaks Challenge route I will be attempting will entail 37 kilometres (23 miles) of running and 3,064 metres (10,052 ft.) of climbing.

So there you have it: A handsome challenge to help offset the “Covid blues” we’ve all been feeling and, more importantly, a chance to raise some much-needed funding for my chosen charity, the Dorset Blind Association: https://dorsetblind.org.uk/