I'm a double cancer survivor, cyclist and walker who does various challenges for different charities, mainly cancer-related.

In 2016 I climbed every single 'Birkett' in the Lake District - all 542 fells over 1,000' within the National Park, including all 214 Wainwrights. I've also done a three-week cycle tour of Tasmania in February 2015 and amongst other things, I've cycled from Land's End to John o'Groats (2003), Rotterdam to Lemvig (Denmark) (2005), walked the Pennine Way (2008) completed (my first) ascent of all 214 'Wainwrights' in the Lake District in only 55 days (2009), cycled 4,500 miles around the coast of Great Britain (2011), cycled all 42 of the accessible Western Isles of Scotland in under a month (2012), twice abseiled 230 ft from the top of The Big One in Blackpool, cycled the WWI Western Front from London to Compiegne via Ypres and Arras (2014), cycled 750 miles in the Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton (2014), done a bit of sky-diving and cycled Australia's Great Ocean Road - just before lockdown in 2020.

Altogether I've raised over £120,000 for my charities including The Christie, Cancer Research UK, the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, and ABF (The Soldiers' Charity) and I was mightily chuffed to receive the British Empire Medal in the 2014 New Year's Honours List.

I'm a Rotarian and give illustrated talks about my adventures in exchange for a donation to charity, so if you're looking for a speaker leave me a message. I am also Event Organiser for the Ribble Valley Ride Cycle Sportive, to be held this year on Sunday 5 September 2021 - more details at www.ribblevalleyride.org

You can also follow me on Twitter - @CancerBikeMan and on Facebook - just search for Bill Honeywell

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research, whilst The Rosemere does fantastic work for patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Sunday 13 February 2011

Out and About - at last

Since I posted the route timetable, lots of people have volunteered to be crew members but with all the driving, navigating, cleaning, cooking, shopping, brewing up and so on, there’s room for more! If you are interested, get in touch.


The kind weather this week has meant that it’s been possible to get out on the bike more – in fact it’s the first time this year I’ve been able to cover over 100 miles in one week. The ups and downs of the Hodder Valley were hard work on Thursday afternoon, and I apologise to Bill Barker and Philip Bailey who were moving the Life Education classroom from Slaidburn School when I approached down the hill past Dunnow Lodge at high speed! But the weather was gorgeous, unlike the unremitting rain today which meant more indoor jobs.

The cold weather in December has led to so many potholes that road cycling now demands top concentration. I’ve had two punctures in under 200 miles – and I normally average one about every 1500 miles. As well as the potholes, there are long stretches where the road surface is just plain worn out, and rough as hell. I’m sure we can expect lots of that on the route around the coast.

I’ve had two speaking engagements this week – Bacup Ladies’ Guild on Thursday night and Burnley Probus on Friday. The Probus fee went to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation as I was talking about the 214 Wainwright Challenge (see blog link), while the ladies’ fee has gone to the Cancer Research UK (see CRUK link).
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