It’s now 10 years since I set off on my first long distance Cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats. I’ve completed one every year since, mostly about 1000 miles over a couple of weeks but as far as 2034 miles in 2016. This year I’m pre-occupied in getting the house I’m building finished so I’ve left it rather late in the year to set off. I’m hoping to cycle just over 1000 miles around the south of England, leaving home in South Somerset on 29th September for Minehead on the North Somerst coast and then making my way around the South West peninsula, along the south coast to the North Foreland of Kent and then back home keeping south of London. All being well I should be home on 13th October.

I haven’t endeavoured to raise any money for charity for a number of years but this year with the sad death of my dear friend Gareth Davies I’d like to persuade you to donate to the Bedford Blues Foundation which uses the power of sport and rugby to change lives in Bedfordshire. https://bit.ly/DonationsGD Maybe you didn’t know him but he was an inspiration to several generations of schoolchildren and rugby players and any money donated will be well spent and give me a boost. A penny a mile will give £10 but I hope you can be more generous. It would be nice if my efforts put at least £1000 in the kitty.