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.

Wednesday 11 May 2011

Day 2 - Silverdale to Haverigg and Signal Problems

Sorry everyone but the signal here at Haverigg is so bad I'm struggling to connect.  I'll try with a bit of information as follows but we'd better forget about photos for now!

Like the curate’s egg, today has been good in parts. Richard managed to see a doctor yesterday who thought he’d damaged his cruciate ligament and prescribed some pills. This morning he felt good, so we set off together, but soon became aware of the pain again.


As we passed through Arnside my friend Mike McVeigh, stalwart scrutineer of the Tour of Mull Rally - and Facebook – was waiting to wave us through, but instead we stopped for a quick natter! I know the roads quite well around Levens so we were able to avoid the busy A590, and then at Grange-over-Sands we stopped to get a knee support for Richard but it was of little help and he really struggled up the hill out of town.

By the time we got to Flookburgh it was clear that Richard was going to have to give in. I carried on quickly to the van to get a drink and some food, and then Richard arrived and started telephoning to arrange transport home. Meanwhile I set off again, using a bit of unsurfaced track to reach the footbridge over the river Leven before joining the very busy A590. I thought I might not make it as some logging was going on and one of the lorries was almost blocking the way. At the footbridge I met a couple from Liverpool enjoying a week’s cycling break. They asked me how far I was going and seemed a bit surprised by the answer!

Ulverston was the birthplace of Stan Laurel. I think I must have been talking to myself as I muttered “Another fine mess you’ve gotten me into!”. Only kidding – despite now being on my own, the ride was quite fun.

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