Secondly, COVID-19 has significantly impacted the valuable things I/we once took for granted including the freedom to travel and enjoy all the resulting experiences.
Thirdly, My professional circumstances have changed slightly and this has given me the opportunity and desire to do some good and raise much needed funds for worthy causes.
I’m trying to raise £5,000 to support 3 x charities close to my heart:
1. The Jess Mackie Memorial Fund
2. St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation
3. East Coast FM
I would be very grateful for any pledges of support you can give.
You can make a donation either by scanning the QR code with your smart phone camera or clicking the JustGiving hyperlink on the left hand side of this page. Both will take you to my crowdfunding page and all the funds raised will benefit from the gift-aid tax uplift on distribution.
I hope you can track my progress by following this daily blog (enter your e-mail address in the ‘subscribe’ field on this Homepage) and I would love it if you provide me with regular encouragement, observations and support.
Congratulations and thank you for making the world a better place! You are appreciated! Your Colorado Supporters, Jim & Bridget…
Congratulations, Scott. What an achievement! Have a lovely relaxing holiday. Valerie
What a fabulous last blog and what a huge achievement Scott. Your daily blogs have kept us thoroughly entertained and…
What a wonderful summary of an amazing trip, proud to call you a mate, simple as, well done.
Was a pleasure to meet you and help you along the way. Well done Scott.
Pre-Trip Preparation
I’ve gone and done it! I’ve booked my one way train journey from Edinburgh to Penzance, and my digs for the night – before I do my 1,000 mile Land’s End to John O’ Groats (LE2JOG) charity fundraiser bike ride.
The route shown in the map on the right is a well-travelled and recognised route by other ‘End to End’ cyclists and I have read a couple of books which offers tips and advice, and this has been invaluable in my planning.
I’ve got to be honest, I’ve not done as much bicycle training as I would have liked (in part due to a wee skiing injury I picked up in February due to self-inflicted stupidity) but I have met up with my good friend Paul on a few occasions (see pic below at the Forth Bridge) and we went for a leisurely spin and I’ve been going to the gym so I feel reasonably fit…. for an old guy!
Some people think the notion of of ‘putting yourself out there’ in this self-sufficient and logistically unsupported challenge, in what is perceived as a vulnerable position, is brave and madness in equal measure. I’m actually looking forward to the test and the sense of adventure as I face many unknowns.
I am hoping this adventure will take approximately 2 x weeks to complete. My trusty Ridgeback touring bike nicknamed ‘The Black Bullet’, which served me well in Bicycle Cross America, will hopefully carry me across LE2JOG once again.
I’ve pretty much replicated what I did in preparation for my Trans American Trail. As far as my gear is concerned, I am focussing on keeping the overall weight to a minimum so it is easier to carry on the bike each day. I note I am carrying 7 lbs more than I was 10 years ago, and that is not the bike or what will be stored in my panier bags! Here is a photo of what the gear looks like when packed followed by a list of everything I am planning on taking. I hope I’ve not forgotten anything!
Cycle clothing
2 x pairs cycling shorts
2 x short sleeved cycling T shirt
1 x pair of cycling tights
1 x Altura fluorescent wind and shower proof jacket
Scotty Boy's Bicycle Across Britain 
Congratulations and thank you for making the world a better place! You are appreciated! Your Colorado Supporters, Jim & Bridget…