Flower Of Scotland

Welcome back to all those kind friends who have followed my Blog last summer on my LETJOG journey and in April as Rob and I made our way across northern England on the Coast to Coast path. It is strange reflecting that another four months have passed since my last Blog – it has been one of the warmest and driest summers on record, and this has certainly proved a mixed blessing when training in the sun! A big welcome also to new followers of this Blog, where over the next few weeks I will keep you in the loop on our Ride & Stride preparations and journey, all in aid of Cancer Research UK, Mind and Parkinson’s UK.

So first things first, what and who is Ride & Stride? Well, we are a self-titled group of ten friends who decided a few months ago to test our personal and collective endurance physically and emotionally whilst raising awareness and funds for our three chosen charities. We agreed upon the beautiful North Coast 500, a designated route around northern Scotland on public roads, as a suitable challenge, and so we will be cycling, running and walking this testing circuit in a form of relay! A lot more to follow on this shortly.

The R&S team is led by Julian, an old schoolfriend of mine, who originally conceived this venture and who has coordinated our preparations. Particular thanks go also to Jeff and Phil for all their efforts in arranging our accommodation, transport and route planning. The four of us go back 50 years, to September 1972 when we all started out together at Buckhurst Hill County High School in south-west Essex. It is scary indeed to think that half a century has passed since then!

Joining us on the NC500 will be Jeff’s wife Tina, and our friends Lesley, Moira, Emma, Peter and James: four cyclists, three runners, myself walking, and two support.

Over the next fortnight, before we leave for Scotland, I will be posting here some details of the North Coast 500 route and of our preparations. I hope that you will all enjoy joining us on our journey!