Andy’s cycle trips so far

Andy’s first long cycle trip was 10 years ago, when he cycled from Land’s End to John O Groats for his 50th birthday.

Since then, he has cycled from the English Channel to the bottom of France, from the bottom of France to the bottom of Spain (and thus to Europe’s boundary with Africa), and from the Atlantic Coast of France to the Black Sea in Romania, and hence right across Europe to Asia. He has raised over £7,000 for various charities with these rides, including Stroke Association, British Heart Foundation, Help for Heroes, Cancer Research UK, and The Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled. Later this year, he has a trip planned to cycle from Copenhagen to Bodo in Norway – which is north of the Arctic Circle.

Andy’s cycling heroes

Andy’s cycling has been inspired by a number of people, but particularly;

Ed Pratt, a Somerset resident and long-term family friend, who was the first person to cycle around the world on a unicycle.

Ken Murphy, whom he met on his trip down through Spain. Ken cycled, carrying his camping equipment, food, water and other supplies, on his own, from Canada to Mexico along the “Great Divide” in USA, when he was 76. Ken and Andy cycled the cross Europe route to Asia together – 3,000 miles spread over three trips – and completed it last summer, a couple of weeks before Ken’s 80th birthday – which makes Ken probably the oldest person to complete that route.

The trip leader from Peak Tours who at the end of the Land’s End to John O Groats trip reminded us of that we are capable of much more than we think.

Geraint Thomas, the Olympian and Tour de France cyclist who – in his book – he admitted that top cyclists inwardly groan when they come to the bottom of steep climbs! That is very comforting to know.

Mark Beaumont – amazing exploits, great documentaries, and helpful training tips in the past.

Kevin Sinfield. MyName’sDoddie Foundation. Not only fantastic fundraising, but extraordinary exploits to raise money to support their friends, and team mates. The true cameraderie of both codes of rugby.

Andy’s friends

Andy decided to raise funds for Cure Parkinson’s to support his great friend, Julie Evans from Brent Knoll, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s five years ago profiled elsewhere on this site.

He is also doing this to support an old rugby team mate from Merton RFC, Richard Evans (no relation to Julie) who is one of life’s and junior rugby’s great characters. It was both fun and inspirational to play alongside him. Thanks also to Merton RFC for support with my previous fundraising.

Andy is also very thankful that he is able to cycle. He was particularly mindful of this, and very touched, when another good friend, who is tetraplegic, said how envious he is of this trip. Andy will be thinking of that when he is struggling up a long hill when 2,500 miles into the trip!