Tony Gill: Lands End to John O Groats Bike Ride
IT'S TIME
TO CYCLE
Begins on the 20th July 2019 -COMPLETED ON THE 2ND August 2019
GO THE DISTANCE
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Dr Tony Gill a senior lecturer in Mental health at UCLAN will be attempting to cycle from one of the country to the other to help raise awareness and funds for charity this summer.
Tony who lives in Giggleswick but who commutes to Preston each day for work and listens avidly to radio Lancashire each morning and is a keen fan of the Graham Liver show. It was on this show that he heard of the tragic passing of Dianne Oxberry and was visibly moved by the love that people had for her. To help raise awareness and much needed funds Tony is undertaking a huge challenge this summer to help a number of well-deserved charities and to help others who need it.
As Tony spends most of his working life in Preston at Uclan it made sense to help such a great cause as Dianne’s, and if he can make a difference to just one person’s life then he will have succeeded in his aim.
Tony has decided that it’s time for him to raise funds and awareness for a number of charities close to his heart and the two that have touched him most in recent years.
Tony is manager of Ilkley town ladies football and has coached them for 17 years since they were formed as under 8s and has been an advocate for girls and ladies football for many years.
He is hoping to help raise awareness for a number of just causes and it is his aim to raise £500 for each of his chosen charities. His just giving pages are included, his mentor and inspiration to study died tragically of MND and a running colleague has now been diagnosed with the illness so it’s time to help raise awareness of MND.
The work that Manorlands Hospice does is outstanding and should be applauded a couple of friends have recently had relatives who sadly passed away in Manorlands and the care and compassion was of the highest standard and it is hoped that the funds raised will help this to continue.
Tony was a runner who competed for Yorkshire but his career was cut short due to knee injury, he know coaches and has done the occasional ride for charity such as the Fred whitton challenge in one day but this is like 10 of those back to back, a huge challenge for someone who isn’t a full time cyclist.
As a lifelong fan or sufferer of Sunderland afc, he could not ride a 1000 miles without raising money for the Bradley Lowery foundation, the strength, courage that young Bradley showed in his short life should be an inspiration to us all, again if one child can have a better quality of life no matter how small that is then it will be worth the pain and heartache of the ride
So my fund raising is spread over 4 very important causes and I hope that people will help me to reach my aim of raising as much as I can for each.
He intends to start at Lands’ End on July 21st and spend the next 12 days cycling up to John O Groats with a stop in the middle to whizz into London for his son’s graduation before resuming on his bike on his journey upwards to the furthest point of Scotland.
THE ROUTE
Friday 19th July - I begin - With a train journey to Penzance.
train from Settle to leeds at 7.30, wait in Leeds till 10.11 then on train to Taunton callingat Sheffield (10.56) Chesterfield (11.08), Derby (11.32), Birmingham New street(12.17), Cheltenham Spa (13.03), Bristol Parkway (13.32), Bristol Temple Meads(13.45), arrive in Taunton at 14.16. I then have 30 mins wait till I get on Train To Penzance There are 16 stops on this train so Im not listing them ALL needless to say I arrive in Penzance at 18.30.
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Then its off to 27 Belgravia Street, Penzance, TR18 2BJ, United Kingdom for the night with my host who has kindly confirmed a secure spot for my Bike, food a beer and sleep.
Saturday 20th July - I cycle to Camelford - 83 Miles
How do I get to Lands End? research shows that I can either cycle another 12 mile or get a taxi?
I think a taxi will suffice I think on this occasion.
The loveley people from MND have agreed to meet me at Lands End and take a few pictures to promote the ride so thank you to them.
get to Lands end at 7.30 ish with a view to setting off at 8am. Once the photos are done its off up the A30 with a left turn towards St Just through Kelynack and Bosavern. then along the coast through some small villages calling at Porthmear and up to St Ives. Continue along the coast to Hayle and Portreath. along the B3300 before turning up to St Agnes and up to Perranporth the final stop on the coast for now.
I then head along the B3285 through Goonhaven
and inland continuing up to St Columb Major.
Continue inland though Nanstallon and towards the lovely named St Tudy and then onto Camelford on the B3266 for a well earned rest and cuppa, a wash and maybe a beer.
Tonights accomodation is the Countryman Hotel on Victoria Road (PL32 9XA). 83 mile done
Sunday 21st July - Off to Wellington - 83 Miles
off we go through quiet country roads through Trevivian, Egloskerry and onto Okehampton. Continue on the B3215 through Belstone corner and up to Coleford before hitting Credito. on we go through Shobrooke and into teh village of Cullompton on the B3181.
Willand and Offculme are next up (on B3340) stay on the B3340 into Nicholashayne before arriving into Wellington for the night, the Vintage Inn 24 Fore Street (TA21 8AQ) . Another 83 mile done
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Monday 22nd July - I make it to Stroud 94 Miles
A big day today as its a huge 94 miler.
Out of Wellington on the B3187 passing through Nynehead, East Nynehead and Ive got to mention Bradford-on-Tone before weaving my way through Taunton through Knapp and up to West Lyng and along the A361 to Othery, going through Greinton and Walton before calling in at Glastonberry, First time ever at the home of concerts and hopefully it will be quiet Onto Wells road along the A39 to Wells itself.
Taking the B3139 towards Emborough and through Midsummer Norton and the Village of Paulton. along the quiet backroad of the B3115, going through Tunley, Old Down and into Bath.
Once I've gotten out of (the) Bath I will head to Batheaston , Northend and up past the Three Shire Stones, up Gatcombe Hill and into Luckington.
next village is Sopworth, Didmartin and then Leighterton. Then along the A46 for a short while through Tiltsup End ( I am not making these names up )
and into Nailsworth, befor going through St Chloe and finally arriving in Stoud after a mammoth 94 miles.
Ill be glad of my bed then at 6 Birch Road, Gloucestershire, England (GL5 3PR), don't suppose I'll be very sociable that night, Hello, Thank you where's me bed.
94 done today and 260 in total
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Tuesday 23rd July - Cycle to Coventry - 76 Miles
After the big day yesterday its a fairly short day in fact apart from my last day this is the shortest day of all
Out of Stroud via the B4070 through Slad, Sheepscombe and up to Crickley Hill and belive it or not Past Devils Chimney and through Cheltenham.
Continue along the B4075 Passing Lynworth and Prestbury (thats odd thats a street in Pennywell near where I was brought up in Sunderland, if only that was a magic portal could save 250 miles!!!).
Up through Cleeve Hill and the B4632 towards Winchcombe and head towards Toddington before getting to Broadway.
Out of Broadway along the B4632 through Willerseyand down to Mickleton.
Staying on the B4632 as we head into Stratford upon-Avon. No time to visit the Bard himself old Shakespeare as I roll out towards Ingon and turn up to Snitterfield and pass North Lindsey towards Hatton.
I continue to meander round the back roads to Haseley Green, Waste Green and the aptly named Haseley Knob!!!, entering into Honiley and Meer End.I go round Cathems Corner before going through Carol Green and Reeves Green and stopping at Martins in Tile Hill for the night.
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Wednesday 24th July - I take a step off the bike and travel down to London to watch my son graduate -
Though he is now not graduating till January but I will go and see him anyway as its a break from the bike and a day out to London, only an hour from Coventry so worth the trip to see him. Martin has promised to look after me legs while I'm here and a massage or two maybe the order of the day.
Day in London to see Josh and then back to Coventry
Thursday 25th July - Back on the bike to Dronfield - 88 Miles Well after a good rest and seeing friends its on the bike again out of Tile Hill and past Hockley, Upper Green, Harvest Hill, Hollyberry End and Chapel Green, Newhall Green and at Fillongley we turn onto the B4098to Over Whitacre and along the B4116to Bentley and onto St. Helena, Polesworth and Shuttington.
remaining on the quiet country roads we head to Thorpe Constantine and into Lullington and Coton in the Elms before we arrive in Burton upon Trent.From there we take the B5008 to Repton and Willington before we meander into Etwall where hopefully we can vist my Auntie.
as we head out of Etwall to Radbourne I also hope to see my Niece Rachel who wants to have a cuppa with me.
Along the B5020 to Kirk Langley and upto Kedleston and through Weston Underwood, passing a strange place called Cross o th' hands!!!
then its Hildclifflane and continue to Wirksworthbefore the town of Cromford.
the B5057 takes us to Upper Hackney and Holymoorside as the B5057 turns to the B6057 through Unstone and finishing in Dronfield.
Airbnb come up trumps again as I stop in
61 Tullibardine Road, South Yorkshire,( S11 7GL)
we have now gone from Derbyshire into Yorkshire on this section and Im only one day away from being home for a night.
Friday 26th July - I cycle to Kettlewell where I am expected at Manorlands Hospice at around 1pm. Please come down adn say hello!
Saturday 27th July - Now it is time to get to Sunderland 86 Miles
Sunday 28th July - Time to cross the border into Scotland and cycle to Hawick 96 Miles
Monday 29th July - You will find cycling to Stirling 97 Miles
Tuesday 30th July - Off for a wee dram in Dahwinnie 92 Miles
Wednesday 31st July- Time to get to Invergrad 95 Miles
Thursday 1St August - Nearly there! Off to Wick 80 Miles
Friday 2nd August - I have made it , I arrive In John O Groats!
Time to come home !!!!
For worthwhile causes...
The Bradley Lowery foundation has been set up to help families who need to fund raise for treatment or equipment, not available on the NHS. We will support families through their fundraising campaign in order to help achieve their targets. We offer not only support, but grants where eligible.
As a lifelong Sunderland fan I was so touched by this brave little boy who always had a smile on his face, he was the bravest little boy I have ever seen, his courage his determination shone through in everything he did. His ability to smile despite what he went through should be a lesson to us all.
I have to say I was moved to tears when he passed away and as a parent myself I cannot imagine what his parents went through.
I would like to help to raise some funds so that other children can have an opportunity to receive treatment or equipment that can help change their lives in some small way.
By doing this ride I hope I can help Bradley's legacy to grow and to help others
As a student at University I was taught research which to be honest I didn't understand, until I met Keith Cooper, who was such a lovely caring and very clever man, he made learning so easy, such fun and explained things so easily, he was the person who inspired me to do a PhD, he believed in me and I proceeded to complete a PhD, without his inspiration and support I would not have achieved what I have today, we became close friends and spent long hours watching cricket and enjoying each others company.
Keith was 62 when he retired and was diagnosed with MND, the last time I saw him was in Portugal, when we visited him at his Villa, sadly he passed away at 66, a life cut short by this silent of all diseases.
More recently a friend of mine fro my running days has seen his brother be diagnosed with MND
I would like to take to my bike to raise awareness of MND and to help raise funds towards helping anyone and their families.
more needs to be done to help others and to raise awareness
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https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-gill3
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I am hoping to raise funds for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, near Keighley who provide expert palliative care, advice and support for people across Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and North and West Bradford, who are living with life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families.
Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times of their lives. For over 65 years our doctors,nursesand carers have given people the compassion and expert care they need to help them live thebest life they possibly can.
I hope by spending two weeks on a bike cycling over a 1000miles I can raise the awareness of the excellent work done by Manorlands and to continue to help provide for those who need care at this very special and sensitive time
please help by donating to this extremely valuable resource for people and their families who need it
Dianne died in early January after a very short battle with ovarian cancer. The tragic impact was felt not only by her family and friends, but also by the wider public whose lives she touched across more than 20 years' TV and radio presenting.
The money raised will be used to help families and individuals who have, or are suffering from, this aggressive disease. The aim is also to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and its after-effects, particularly where families have suffered sudden loss...which can often be the case with this appalling disease.
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www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dianneoxberry
