If you've come here because you're interested in my book, click here, if not, please read on...
My first midlife crisis struck in 1999 when I took a month off work, had a course of motorcycle instruction, passed the test and bought a bike. The Kawasaki ZX6R was capable of 140 mph and revved to 17000 RPM, it would have been fantastic if it didn't also frighten the life out of me!
The second midlife crisis came five years later in 2004 when I sold the motorbike, bought a pushbike (a very expensive pushbike I hasten to add!) and cycled from Land's End to John O' Groats.
It all went from there really: I've done a 'challenge' of some sort every year since then and kept a record of the challenge which has sometimes been a complete and concise record, other times (more often than not) it's been less complete. Anyway, you can find them all on these blogs:
- Cycling xS & 2xs - cycling across Scotland from east to west (Cycling xS) and then cycling back again from west to east (Cycling 2xS) during May 2013.
- Tow Cycling - cycling the c2,600 miles of canal tow path in mainland UK starting in 2011 has now become an on-going, background project (I originally hoped to complete it in 18 months... 2 years ago!).
- 72o2 - canoeing across England from the Severn Bridge to the O2 arena (Thames Barrier really) - ever tried canoeing uphill? July 2010.
- LELoLE - 2009's challenge - cycling from Land's End 2 Land's End via Lowestoft - but it's not quite as it sounds!
- 26 Miles and Running - I'm sure you can guess this one... running the London Marathon in April 2008.
- England to France the Long Way - swimming the English Channel in August 2007.
- Source 2 Sea 4 Charity - walking, canoeing, cycling from the source of the Thames in Gloucestershire to where it meets the North Sea near Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey.
- C2C for Charity - cycling from Whitehaven on the Irish Sea coast to Tynemouth on the North Sea coast in May 2005
- End 2 End 4 Parkinson's - cycling from Land's End to John O' Groats in May 2004
I've also written a book about the Land's End to John O' Groats cycle ride, profits from which are going to supporting the Parkinson's Disease Society, a charity close to my heart, please see below if you'd like to: see what it's all about, order it or download it ;-). Also, I have some copies here that I will happily sign and post, please drop me a mail or comment here for more info.
