We, Roger & I were so lucky to be able to share the experience with people who put every bit of effort into completing this challenge cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats. We were the “back-up crew” with our Benimar. Monies raised will be sent to charities, Parkinson UK and Menphys.

Our son Andrew and daughter in law Jeanette along with nine of their athletic friends , last year had this crazy idea of cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats . This became reality this month. It took them ten gruelling days.

Terry The politest of the group kept the morale going

Glen Sponsor of support van carrying bicycle spares

Kieron Organiser. Gemma made the birthday cakes

Deeks He could eat for England and Scotland.

Simon The baby face of the team

Neil Bone wasting disease, rode one legged, the other so much shorter. He is waiting for a hip replacement operation.

Luke Chocolate face, just could not supply enough for him. Hayley, Luke’s girlfriend made boxes of tasty nutritious flapjacks for them to eat during riding.

Andrew Mostly led the group

Jeanette The only female who really is a tough nut who gave the men a run for their money!!

Day 1 - Monday. Arrival at Lands End for photographs. Our first job was to make sandwiches for this group they seemed to demolish them as quickly as we could make them. Tomorrow we will be more organised and know how many loaves and what fillings to use. Evening meals are more complicated because we have four vegetarians in the group.

The first day’s ride was relatively easy starting with forty miles. Afternoon was warm and sunny.

Day 2 -Tuesday was a different ball game. They battled through rain, wind and heavy mist which persisted all day. We pulled up in a lay-by where Roger spotted a Cafe selling chips only to discover it did not open until 5 pm. As I had spoken to Andrew and said they would be having chip butties, (this gave them the incentive to boost their morale. We had drive into Looe and Roger found a Fish Shop in the Harbour then return to the Lay-by because we had arranged to meet them there. Their riding gear was wet and because of heavy rain throughout the night their tents were soaked through when they dismantled them. Chris, the support van driver for the first few days very kindly put up the tents which was a very welcome site when they returned from riding over Dartmoor.

We arrived at Bovey Tracey Coombe Park, Caravan Park C.L very clean, good views, friendly owners. Unfortunately the riders were still cycling in rain. By the time they arrived at the site the sun was shining so we were able to dry out their tents etc. They showered relaxed with beers, a good meal of soup and spaghetti bolognaise.

Day 3 - Wednesday Sunshine makes all the difference. We were all up just after 6am. Cereals, porridge and toast . They met us near Chard for lunch. Mendip Heights camping & caravanning very clean, well run, most obliging. The ravenous cyclists arrived at the site same time as back up crew and had to wait for their meal bangers and mash and vegetables. The reason being the pre-booked site was not good so we quickly telephoned and sorted another .We needed spaces for five tents and a motorhome.

Day 4 - Thursday was a very long hard day for cyclists 116 miles accomplished. Stopped for lunch in the Wye Valley, Tinton side of river, beautiful views. Refreshed, well almost, fed and on their way again. I went into a Food Store, bought loads of bananas and chicken for Friday’s curry. The Manager gave us 10% discount and looked for campsites on the Internet and it was nearly closing time. C & C Touring site for Caravans was excellent, good amenities. Owner most obliging could not do enough for us. Offered to chauffeur everyone to Kangaroo Inn approximately a couple of miles away (my night off from cooking). Wavered fees more money to charity.

Day 5 - Friday. They are off on the road again at 8.15. Our campsite C & C Raylands Farm Kenyon Warrington, was good, plenty of space, good amenities, very helpful and said we could put the fees to charity. Chicken curries for evening meal.

Day 6 - Saturday. Whilst we motored up M6 the cyclists had a very gruelling ride, the day got progressively worse for them, punctures, tiredness and low morale. The cyclists have to make the mileage up the next day. Keiron’s partner arrived with a new tent for Andrew and High Five food (full of protein) for everyone. We didn’t reach our booked site. The site we found very late at Shap C & C C.L site was very basic. The only Hotel in Shap served everyone with Fish and Chips at a price.

Thank you to Roy and Sylvia Gill who joined us at Kirby Lonsdale for lunch, left their donation and good wishes to everyone.

Day7 - Sunday. Shap camp side had no electric hook ups, Roger made toast on small two burner gas stove. Because of the warm dry weather this was one of the most enjoyable days for the cyclists, they made good time and cycled 125 miles. We managed to find a campsite before Glasgow where we had hoped to reach, Strathclyde Country Park, very good amenities, very clean plenty of space. Motorhomes £12 including electric. C & C site.

Day 8 - Monday. Very misty, beautiful scenery around Lock Lomond where we stopped for lunch. This scenery must be stunning in the sunshine!! Arrived at National Trust C & C site Glencoe Balloc. This site one of the best so far. The stewards very helpful, plenty of showers, washing and dish washing areas and even a cosy shelter where we gathered to relax and enjoy the evening meal because it was raining.

Day 9 - Tuesday. It rained throughout the night, tents very wet and ground soggy. After all the rain it brightened up. Our journey from Glencoe to Fort William absolutely beautiful. On to Fort Agustes located at the beginning of Loch Ness where we stopped for lunch. Roger and I just had time for a spot of sight seeing. Today the group had to cope with more punctures and split tyres. We traveled the side of Loch Ness where the scenery is stunning. Our campsite at Dingwall. Was very large spacious. The ladies room amenities large and feminine, pictures and posies of flowers above the wash basins. Everywhere immaculately clean. It was Simon’s birthday today and we celebrated with take away pizzas

Day 10 - Wednesday. Left Dingwall and continued our journey on the B836. The only passing places were bubbles each side of the road. Acres and acres of felled dead trees, heather, trees and hills on the horizon of the most northerly coastline of Scotland. The views change with every mile we travel. We have seen many groups of cyclists and motorcyclists possibly travelling this route for the same reason....CHARITY!! Roger and I arrived at our last camp site Melvich The Hallandale Inn 6.30pm. The lads had to move even faster, erect their tents and shower before going into the restaurant at 7.30. No more orders would be taken after 8pm. Today was Keiron’s birthday. His partner who had joined us for a few hours a few days ago left me with a chocolate cake.

Day 11 – Thursday They all deserved a well earned sleep in today. 7am alarms went off. Most of them celebrated last night so morning breakfast with a good fry up. Smiles from ear to ear just another 37 miles, a break at 20 miles at Thurso for coffee and cakes etc. Achievement written all over their faces with their challenge finished in front of John O’Groats signpost. Well Done Lads!! You are like thousands of other raising money for good causes and are the Pillars of Society. They have had to cope with sore bums, midges by the thousand.

I think they have all had enough bananas, carbohydrates and tuna to last them a lifetime.

Throughout this journey we have all learned many things about ourselves and each other. Above all working as a team.

To all our friends who have already donated to this worthy cause, thank you. Should anyone wish to donate after reading this article please make cheques payable to Helen Foster and post to above address.

When we reached John O’Groats , after photographs had been taken, an anti-climax seemed to descend upon everyone.

During our long journey home we had time to reflect upon the last ten days. The one thing we were most grateful for was the weather. Although it rained throughout the nights it was dry during the days.

Alarm 6am.

Breakfast : Pots of tea, at least two loaves for toast, cereals, porridge, honey, jam, bananas and water for bottles for journey

After breakfast, clear everything away, and tents into support Van (driver helped with this.

Lunch: To be ready at an pre-arranged venue, only ever new approximate time.

Sandwiches with various fillings, tuna, ham, cheese, salad, crisps, chocolates and biscuits. More water for bottles.

Dinner: Carbohydrates, pasta, potatoes, rice, vegetables, anything sweet. Clear away dinner tables. Men usually washed dishes etc.

In between getting meals ready we had to shop daily for provisions.

We had pre-booked all campsites but upon arrival some were unsuitable so we had to quickly re-arrange

Venues.

Our Benimar was well used.