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.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Day One - Clitheroe to Silverdale

After the great start from Clitheroe Castle the four of us (me, Richard, Mick and Mick) cycled to Longridge and Preston, where we had our first brew at Riversway. For Val this was the first time she had driven the motorhome and she was getting used to it already.

The weather started off bright but now the clouds were black and menacing, but we were lucky - as we carried on through Freckleton to Lytham, things brightened up but the crosswind at Lytham was fierce. By Blackpool the wind was behind us - there's a lot of construction work going on and we had to negotiate a few diversions - no problem - and then it was on to the seafront for a great few miles at 20+ mph with that kind tailwind.

Lunch was at Fleetwood, not far from the public toilets which Val thought were very nice. She obviously didn't go to the gents, which in my opinion were being used by the local druggies - they were sitting on a form outside, which was offputting.

Then to the great Fleetwood - Knott End Ferry.  Richard used his bus pass for the very first time ever, and not on a bus! - and got a free ride, although his bike still cost 50p,

Then Cockerham and disaster struck. Richard had to pull up with terrible leg pains, and retired to the van, which sped him off to the doctors in Carnforth.  The remaining three carried on to Lancaster and then Sunderland Point where I went to find Sambo's Grave - an interesting, if not entirely politically correct, piece of history from the days of slavery.  The road to the point is covered by the tide twice a day but luckily the water was low.

Back through Heysham, Morecambe and Carnforth and then on to the day's final destination, Holgates Caravan Site at Silverdale - luxury!

Well, that's 92 miles done - over 2%! - and in good shape (apart from Richard, who was diagnosed with a cruciate ligament problem).  But most of all, I've started, the planning's over and I'm on my way - hurray!

PS Sorry - tried to post some photos but the signal is so bad it won't take them. Let's hope for a better signal tomorrow.

2 comments:

  1. Matt Khan-Dyer11 May 2011 at 07:59

    A great first day. I hear the weather stayed fine for you. The tracker works really well. I can even see where on that site you are. Anyway, day 2 another long day. Is there any way of finding out your route?

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  2. Good luck Bill, you can do it :)

    ReplyDelete